Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gin  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


Digitized  by 

the  Internet  Archive 

in  2013 

http://archive.org/details/documentsrelativOOsoci_0 


r 


PERI 


DOCUMENTS 

RELATIVE  TO  THE 


INSTITUTED  BY 


Tiie  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents 

(i 

IX  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK, 

in  1  8  24. 


COMPRISING 

1st.  MEMORIAL  TO  THE  LEGISLATURE  OF  THE  STATE,  INTERSPERSED  WITH  FACTS 
FROM  THE  REPORTS  OF  THE  "  SOCIETY  FOR  THE  PREVENTION  OF  PAUPERISM.  ' 
2d.  ACT  OF  INCORPORATION', 

3d.  THL  SEVEN  ANNUAL  REPORTS  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 

4th.  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  HOUSE. 

5th.   AN  ADDRESS    DELIVERED  BY  THE  REV.  DR.  STANFORD,  ON  THE   OPENING  Of 

THE  FIRST  NEW  BUILDING. 
6th.  LAWS  AND  STATUTES  OF  THE  STATE  RELATIVE  TO  THE  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE. 


PUSHiHUD  BIZ"  F£B2S1SSI0£T 

OF  THE 

BY  NATHANIEL  C.  HART,  Superintendent. 


PRINTED   BY  MAHLON  DAY, 

376  PEARL-STREET- 

1832. 


JP  GIFT 

ESTATE  OF 
WU-LUM  c.  RfyEs 
W\APH1L,  1040 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 


Acts  of  the  Legislature  relating  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  -  303 
Ages  of  Children  received  from  1825  to  1831,         -  -  244 

Cases  of  Juvenile  Offences,  furnished  by  the  District  Attorney,  28 
Cases  extracted  from  the  London  Reports,  -  30 

Description  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  -  -  -  98 

Discourse  by  the  Rev.  John  Stanford  on  opening  the  House,  28S 
Estimates  of  the  Funds  required  to  support  the  House  of  Refuge,  55 
Extract  of  a  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Education,  -  99 

First  Annual  Report,  -  -  -  -  37 

Fourth  Annual  Report,  -----  147 
Fifth  Annual  Report,  -  -  -  -  184 

In  what  States,  Children  Indentured,  -  -  -  211 

Letters  from  Delinquents,    -  -  -  -  -  115 

134 

Letter  to  the  Masters,  -----  179 

Letter  to  the  Apprentice,  -----  180 
Letter  from  the  Superintendent,  -  228 
Letters  addressed  to  the  Superintendent,     -  -  42 

90 
115 

Memorial  to  the  Legislature,  -  —       -  9 

Memorial  to  the  Legislature,  -  -  -  -  176 

Number  of  Children  in  the  House  in  each  week  of  1831,  -  270 
Officers  of  the  Society,        -  -  -  -  36 


73 
112 
146 
183 
215 
24G 
274 

President's  Address  to  the  Superintendent,  -  -  100 

Reply  to  the  same,  -  103 


iv. 


Report  on  erecting  a  House  of  Refuge,       -  -  -  11 

Report  of  the  Special  Committee  of  the  Common  Council,  55 
Report  of  the  Ladies' Committee,  -  -  -172 

203 
238 
260 

Rules  and  Regulations  for  the  government  of  the  H.  of  Refuge,  104 

275 

Requisites  which  the  House  has  for  the  Reformation  of 


Delinquents,          -  275 

Labor,             -  275 

Employments  in  the  House,     -  275 

Food,               ......  276 

Clothing,  276 

Females  and  Matron,    -----  276 

Punishments,    -  277 

Wardsmen  and  Monitors,         -  278 

Arrangement  of  time,    -----  273 

Classification,    ------  279 

Superintendent  and  Keeper,     ....  279 

Teacher  and  Assistant  Keepers,           -          -          -  281 

Acting  Committee.        -  281 

Ladies'  Committee,       -----  282 

Indenturing  Committee,           -  283 

Divine  Service,            .....  2S4 

General  Regulations,    -----  285 

Second  Annual  Report,       -          -          -          -  74 

Sixth  Annual  Report,          -          -          -          -          -  216 

Seventh  Annual  Report,      -----  247 

Subscribers  and  Donors,      -          -          -                    -  62 


310 

Selection  of  Cases,  -  -  -  -  57 

92 
119 
134 
157 
194 
231 
261 

Statement  of  Manufactories,  -  127 


V. 


School  Report,        ......  44 

129 
207 

242 
272 

Statement  of  the  numbers  admitted,  -  -  41 

89 
123 
175 
206 
240 
247 


Third  Annual  Report,         -          -          -          -          -  113 

Trades  to  which  Boys  have  been  Indentured,          -          -  210 

Trades  to  which  Girls  have  been  Indentured,          -          -  211 

Table  of  the  average  number  of  Children  in  the  House,  1 829,  212 

Table  of  the  Division  of  Time,        -          -          -          -  109 

Treasurer's  Account,           -          -          -          -  54 


97 
145 
182 
213 
245 
259 

Work  done  by  the  Girls,     -  -  -  -  -  173 

242 
273 

Work  done  by  the  Boys,      -  -  -  -  -  174 

204 
241 
271 


PREPACK 


The  subject  of  Penitentiary  Discipline  is  of  great  and  increas- 
ing importance  to  civilized  communities.  As  the  dictates  of 
humanity  gain  an  ascendency  over  the  feelings  of  revenge  in 
penal  inflictions  against  crime,  the  judicious  substitution  of 
milder  punishment  in  place  of  the  more  severe  and  sanguinary, 
is  a  matter  which  must  necessarily  engage  the  attention  of  wise 
and  prudent  Legislators, 

The  welfare  of  society  is  deeply  involved  in  the  question  of 
the  most  effectual  mode  of  restraining  vice,  and  preventing  the 
commission  of  crime  ;  and  whether  we  consult  the  pages  of 
sacred  or  profane  history,  or  compare  nations  with  each  other 
in  every  stage  of  advancement  from  the  savage  to  the  most 
civilized,  the  soundest  induction  appears  to  be,  that  the  most 
effective  Legislation  is  that  which  is  most  conformable  to  the 
precepts  of  Christianity. 

In  moral  as  well  as  corporeal  diseases,  it  is  a  sound  maximy 
that  "  prevention  is  better  than  cure."  A  slight  observation  of 
the  nature  of  the  crimes  which  disturb  society,  and  of  the  char- 


viii. 

acter  of  the  criminals,  will  convince  any  intelligent  observer, 
that  the  greater  portion  of  those  crimes  originated  in  early 
moral  debasement; — in  the  contamination  of  youth  by  vicious 
associations.  It  is  on  this  ground  that  the  Refuge  establish- 
ments are  founded — on  the  conviction  that  they  will  save  to 
the  communities  in  which  they  are  erected,  by  their  conserva- 
tive and  reformatory  influence,  a  much  greater  sum  than  the 
cost  of  their  maintenance. 

The  House  of  Refuge  in  the  city  of  New-York,  being  the 
first  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States,  by  which  the  experiment 
of  Juvenile  Reformation  has  been  fairly  attempted,  it  has  been 
thought  desirable  that  the  several  papers  and  reports  which  re- 
late to  its  rise  and  progress,  should  be  brought  together,  in 
order  to  prevent  their  being  scattered  and  lost,  and  to  this  end 
the  present  volume  makes  its  appearance. 


TO  THE  LEGISLATURE  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW-YORK,  BY  THE  SO- 
CIETY FOR  THE  REFORMATION  OF  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS, 
WITH  AN  ABSTRACT  FROM  A  REPORT  OF  A  COMMITTEE  AP- 
POINTED BY  THE  SOCIETY  FOR  THE  PREVENTION  OF"  PAUPER- 
ISM, IN  THE  SAID  CITY,  ON  THE  SUBJECT  OF  ERECTING  A 
HOUSE  OF  REFUGE,  FOR  VAGRANT  AND  DEPRAVED  YOUNG 
PEOPLE. 

To  the  Honorable,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New-York, 
in  Senate  and  Assembly  convened  :—The  Memorial  of  the  Society 
for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  in  the  City  of  New- 
York,  respectfully  sheweth, 

That  having  received  an  Act  of  Incorporation,  at 
the  last  session  of  the  Legislature,  your  Memorialists, 
with  such  means  as  were  placed  at  their  disposal,  by 
the  liberality  and  public  spirit  of  such  of  their  fellow- 
citizens  as  were  applied  to  for  their  assistance,  have 
proceeded  to  the  fulfilment  of  the  objects  of  their  In- 
stitution. They  have  procured  from  our  City  Cor- 
poration a  lease  of  a  piece  of  land  eligibly  situated 
for  the  establishment  of  a  House  op  Refuge,  which 
had  been  formerly  used  for  the  purpose  of  a  National 
Arsenal.  And  they  have  purchased  from  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  a  cession  of  their  improve- 
ments, consisting  of  various  buildings,  outworks, 
sheds,  &c.  These  improvements,  the  Society  have 
put  in  the  best  state  of  temporary  repair  possible,  and 
they  are  now  ready  to  receive  under  their  care,  a 
limited  number  of  young  persons,  whose  vagrancy,  or 
whose  crimes,  may  have  rendered  them  fit  objects 
for  the  care  and  discipline  of  this  Society. 

But  in  the  very  commencement  of  their  operations, 
they  are  presented  with  the  fact  of  a  treasury  nearly 
exhausted  by  the  purchase  of  the  above-mentioned 
improvements,  and  the  necessary  repairs  of  them,  and 
the  furnishing  of  a  quantity  of  materials  with  which 
to  employ  the  objects  of  their  care*  in  the  great  pur- 
pose of  their  reformation  and  amendment.  And  the 
small  amount  of  their  funds  has  enabled  them  to  prc- 

2 


10 


pare  accommodations  for  the  number  only  of  about 

seventy  persons. 

Under  these  circumstances  it  is  evident,  that,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  months,  at  most,  the  proceedings  of 
this  Society,  having  for  their  object  the  reformation 
and  restoration  to  society,  under  circumstances  fa- 
vorable to  their  future  prosperity,  of  the  hundreds  of 
youth  who  are  annually  thrown  upon  our  municipal 
government  for  correction  and  punishment,  must  be 
entirely  suspended,  and  the  humane  effort  that  has 
been  made  under  the  protection  and  fostering  care  of 
your  Honorable  Body,  and  the  no  less  distinguishing 
liberality  of  our  private  citizens,  must  be  abandoned, 
unless  the  bounty  of  the  State  shall  be  added  to  the 
private  contributions  that  have  already  been  made  in 
behalf  of  this  Society. 

We  therefore  address  your  Honorable  Body,  as  the 
guardians  of  all  portions  of  the  community,  and  par- 
ticularly of  those  institutions  which  are  formed  for  the 
benign  and  necessary  purpose  of  reforming  the  aban- 
doned and  profligate,  of  rescuing  them  from  the  de- 
plorable consequences  of  ignorance,  of  bad  example, 
and  of  guilt;  and  of  mingling  the  salutary  lessons  of 
reformation,  with  the  indispensable  administration  of 
punishment,  especially  to  those  young  and  inexperi- 
enced convicts,  of  whose  future  usefulness  a  reasona- 
ble hope  may  be  entertained. 

And  when  your  Honorable  Body  shall  take  into 
consideration,  the  peculiarly  exposed  situation  of  the 
city  of  New-York,  to  the  migrations  of  the  wandering 
and  restless  subjects  of  poverty  and  vice,  not  only 
from  foreign  parts,  but  from  our  own  country  and 
state,  the  Managers  of  this  Society  entertain  the  con- 
fident expectation,  that  your  Honorable  Body  will 
feel  the  necessity  and  propriety  of  extending  towards 
them  such  portion  of  the  patronage  of  the  State,  as 
shall  enable  them  to  erect  the  necessary  buildings, 
and  to  introduce  extensive  and  permanent  plans  for 
the  employment  and  education  of  such  juvenile  of- 
fenders as  shall  be  committed  to  their  charge. 

The  Society  beg  leave  to  refer  your  Honorable 
Body  to  the  annexed  Abstract  of  a  Report  of  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Pauperism 


II 


in  the  city  of  New-York,  for  a  full  account  of  the  ori- 
gin of  their  Association,  and  a  developement  of  the 
principles  and  objects  which  are  to  govern  them  in 
its  administration. 

CADWALLADER  D.  GOLDEN,  President. 
Robert  F.  Mott,  Secretary, 

REPORT,  &c. 

It  will  be  admitted  by  every  person  conversant  with  human 
nature,  and  with  the  great  objects  of  political  association,  that  there 
are  few  judicial  considerations  of  greater  importance,  than  the 
wise  adaptation  of  punishment  to  crime.  The  safety  of  life  and 
property;  the  enjoyment  of  personal  liberty ;  the  blessings  of  so- 
cial intercourse ;  and  the  strength  and  stability  of  governments 
themselves  ;  are  essentially  interwoven  with  those  penal  regula- 
tions, which  coerce  the  refractory,  and  operate  as  dissuasives  from 
the  indulgence  of  passions,  hostile  to  the  general  good.  Of  the 
various  institutions  of  civil  government,  there  are  none,  perhaps, 
which  more  clearly  mark  the  progress  of  refinement,  and  the 
growth  of  enlightened  feeling,  than  the  meliorations  which  are 
visible  from  time  to  time  in  the  criminal  code  of  nations.  In  the 
savage  and  barbarous  state,  vengeance  is  the  ruling  principle  in 
the  infliction  of  punishment,  and  death  is  seldom  decreed,  without 
the  accompaniment  of  lingering  and  merciless  torture.  As  know- 
ledge increases,  men  learn  to  discriminate  more  clearly  between 
actions  and  their  motives  :  and  although  the  divisions  of  the  statute 
book  become  more  artificial,  there  is  an  obvious  attention  to  the 
natural  distinctions  of  crime  ;  a  more  cautious  inquiry  into  the  quo 
animo — the  nature  and  force  of  the  temptation  ;  and  more  human- 
ity in  the  retributions  of  legal  justice.  But  the  most  important 
step  in  the  enactment  and  administration  of  penal  laws,  is  the  full 
admission  of  the  principle,  that  it  is  not  revenge  which  stimulates 
society  to  the  infliction  of  punishment,  and  arms  the  law  with  its 
severest  denunciations  ; — that  neither  in  the  prescriptions  of  the 
Legislature,  nor  in  the  progress  of  juridical  investigation  and  de- 
cision, are  the  vindictive  passions  to  be  allowed  to  operate  : — but 
that  the  great  ends  of  punishment  are,  to  deter  others  from  crime, 
to  prevent  the  aggressor  from  the  repetition  of  his  offences,  and,  if 
possible,  to  effect  the  moral  reformation  of  all  those  who  become 
amenable  to  the  laws. 

It  cannot  but  afford  the  highest  gratification  to  every  hunaane 
individual,  to  witness  the  solicitude  which  now  prevails  in  rela- 
tion to  this  subject.  The  zeal  which  is  observable  in  various  coun- 
tries, with  respect  to  the  improvement  of  prison  discipline,  to  the 
reformation  of  abuses,  to  the  perfection  of  criminal  laws,  and  to 
the  more  discreet  and  consistent  treatment  of  those  whom  offended 
justice  visits  with  its  severe  but  needful  inflictions,  is  an  indubitable 
indication  of  that  expansive  benevolence  which  is  the  genuine  fruit 
I  of  Christianity.    It  is  creditable  to  this  country,  young  as  it  was  in 


12 


experience,  to  have  given  to  llic  world  one  of  the  first  effective  im- 
pulses in  this  new  sphere  of  wise  and  charitable  regulation — the 
Penitentiary  System  of  Prison  Discipline.  Had  that  system  been 
pursued  among  us  with  the  same  intelligent  and  disinterested  zeal 
with  which  it  was  commenced,  our  prisons  would  at  this  time  ex- 
hibit the  best  models  for  the  world  to  imitate  ; — their  influence  would 
be  far  more  decisive  upon  the  public  welfare;  and  we  should  not 
now  have  to  lament  that  disrepute  into  which  the  Penitentiary  Sys- 
tem has  partially  fallen,  in  consequence  of  .doubts  of  its  superi- 
ority. 

Among  the  evils  and  abuses  which  obstruct  the  operation  of  this 
system,  and  most  powerfully  counteract  the  reformatory  influence 
of  imprisonment,  is  the  want  of  classification  among  prisoners,  the 
indiscriminate  assemblage  of  persons  of  all  ages  and  degrees  of 
guilt,  and  the  inevitably  corrupting  tendency  of  such  an  intercourse. 
The  very  imperfect  structure,  and  the  crowded  state  of  our  pris- 
ons, absolutely  forbid  the  application  of  an  adequate  remedy  for 
this  deplorable  evil.  So  notorious  is  the  demoralizing  nature  of 
some  of  those  institutions  which  are  called  Penitentiaries, — so  gen- 
erally do  those  who  are  liberated  from  them  come  out  more  vile 
and  corrupt,  and  more  skilful  in  the  various  modes  of  depredation 
than  when  they  entered; — and  so  seldom  do  they  manifest  any  signs 
of  reformation,  that  these  places  have  acquired  the  appellation  of 
Schools  and  Colleges  of  crime.  The  amount  of  injury  sustained  by 
the  lamentable  defects  in  the  regulations  of  our  city  and  state  pris- 
ons, is  so  great, — to  such  an  extent  is  the  younger  class  of  prisoners 
initiated  in  the  mysteries  of  wickedness,  by  this  exposure,  it  is  a 
questionable  point,  in  the  estimation  of  many  persons,  whether 
the  present  system,  with  all  its  expensive  apparatus,  and  all  its 
show  of  lenity  and  moral  treatment,  is  not  more  inauspicious  to 
public  tranquillity,  than  the  simple  incarceration  and  corporal  chas- 
tisements, the  whipping-posts,  pillories,  and  croppings  of  former 
times.  The  experience,  nevertheless,  of  some  of  the  prisons  of 
the  United  States,  whose  discipline  is  the  most  exact,  and  where 
classification  is  an  object  of  careful  attention;  and  the  growing  ex- 
perience of  England,  and  other  countries  of  Europe,  where  the  san- 
guinary codes  which  have  been  for  ages  in  operation,  are  beginning 
to  yield,  in  practice,  to  the  more  rational  and  humane  substitution 
of  hard  labor,  restricted  diet,  solitary  confinement,  and  judicious 
classification,  afford  unquestionable  evidence,  that  the  energies  of 
the  law  in  the  suppression  of  crime,  are  most  potent  and  availing, 
when  directed  with  a  constant  reference  to  the  moral  faculties  of 
our  nature ;  and  when  clothed  with  that  spirit,  which  seeks  to  re- 
store, in  order  that  it  may  safely  forgive. 

The  great  object  of  the  institution  of  civil  government,  is  to  ad- 
vance the  prosperity,  and  to  increase  the  happiness  of  its  subjects. 
The  agents  of  the  government,  become,  in  this  point  of  view,  the 
fathers  of  the  people ;  and  it  may  surely  be  ranked  among  the  du- 
ties incident  to  this  paternal  care,  not  only  that  those  who  are  guil- 
ty of  crime  should  receive  the  chastisement  due  to  their  offences, 
but  that  no  pains  should  be  spared  to  remove  the  causes  of  offence, 
and  to  diminish,  as  far  as  possible,  the  sources  of  temptation  and 
corruption.  This  obligation  applies  with  peculiar  force  to  the  case 
of  juvenile  offenders; — a  class  whose  increasing  numbers,  and  de- 


13 


plorable  situation  in  this  city,  loudly  call  for  the  more  effective  in- 
terposition of  its  police,  and  the  benevolent  interference  of  our  cit- 
izens in  general. 

To  this  class  of  guilty  unfortunates,  the  Society  for  the  Preven- 
tion of  Pauperism,  beg  leave  to  solicit  the  attention  of  their  fellow- 
citizens,  in  the  earnest  hope,  that  means  may  be  devised  to  rescue 
from  the  lowest  degradation,  and  from  the  danger  of  utter  ruin, 
hundreds  and  thousands  of  the  youth  of  this  city,  of  both  sexes, 
whose  crimes  and  misery  arise,  in  a  very  marked  degree,  from 
the  neglect  of  those  who  ought  to  be  their  guardians  and  protec- 
tors. 

Every  person  that  frequents  the  out-streets  of  this  city,  must  be 
forcibly  struck  with  the  ragged  and  uncleanly  appearance,  the  vile 
language,  and  the  idle  and  miserable  habits  of  great  numbers  of 
children,  most  of  whom  are  of  an  age  suitable  for  schools,  or  for 
some  useful  employment.  The  parents  of  these  children,  are,  in 
all  probability,  too  poor,  or  too  degenerate,  to  provide  them  with 
clothing  fit  for  them  to  be  seen  in  at  school ;  and  know  not  where  to 
place  them  in  order  that  they  may  find  employment,  or  be  better 
cared  for.  Accustomed,  in  many  instances,  to  witness  at  home 
nothing  in  the  way  of  example,  but  what  is  degrading;  early  taught 
to  observe  intemperance,  and  to  hear  obscene  and  profane  language 
without  disgust;  obliged  to  beg,  and  even  encouraged  to  acts  of 
dishonesty,  to  satisfy  the  wants  induced  by  the  indolence  of  their 
parents, — what  can  be  expected,  but  that  such  children  will,  in  due 
time,  become  responsible  to  the  laws  for  crimes,  which  have  thus, 
in  a  manner,  been  forced  upon  them?  Can  it  be  consistent  with 
real  justice,  that  delinquents  of  this  character,  should  be  consigned 
to  the  infamy  and  severity  of  punishments,  which  must  inevitably 
tend  to  perfect  the  work  of  degradation,  -to  sink  them  still  deeper 
in  corruption,  to  deprive  them  of  their  remaining  sensibility  to  the 
shame  of  exposure,  and  establish  them  in  all  the  hardihood  of  da- 
ring and  desperate  villainy?  Is  it  possible  that  a  christian  commun- 
ity, can  lend  its  sanction  to  such  a  process,  without  any  effort  to 
rescue  and  to  save  ?  If  the  agents  of  our  municipal  government 
stand  towards  the  community  in  the  moral  light  of  guardians  of  vir- 
tue,— if  they  may  be  justly  regarded  as  the  political  fathers  of  the 
unprotected,  does  not  every  feeling  of  justice  urge  upon  them  the 
principle,  of  considering  these  juvenile  culprits  as  falling  under 
their  special  guardianship,  and  claiming  from  them  the  right  which 
every  child  may  demand  of  its  parent,  of  being  well  instructed  in 
the  nature  of  its  duties,  before  it  is  punished  for  the  breach  of  their 
observance?  Ought  not  evecy  citizen,  who  has  a  just  sense  oftfffe 
reciprocal  obligations  of  parents  and  children,  to  lend  his  aid  to  the 
administrators  of  the  law,  in  rescuing  those  pitiable  victims  of  neg- 
lect and  wretchedness,  from  the  melancholy  fate  which  almost  in- 
evitably results  from  an  apprenticeship  in  our  common  prisons. 

In  order  to  arrive  at  a  more  correct  understanding  of  the  amount 
of  the  evils  alluded  to,  the  committee  have  to  state,  that  they  have 
been  furnished  by  the  District  Attorney,  H.  Maxwell,  Esq.  with  an 
abstract  of  those  persons  who  were  brought  before  the  Police  Mag- 
istrates, during  the  year.  1822,  and  sentenced  either  to  the  City 
Bridewell  from  10  to  60  days,  or  to  the  Penitentiary  from  2  to  6 
months.    The  list  comprehends  more  than  450  persons,  all  under 


14 


25  rears  of  age,  nnd  a  very  considerable  number  of  both  sexes  be- 
tween the  ages  of  9  and  1 6.  None  of  these  have  been  actually  char- 
ged with  crime,  or  indicted  and  arraigned  for  trial.  It  includes 
those  only,  who  are  taken  up  as  vagrants,  who  can  give  no  satis- 
factory account  of  themselves; — children,  who  profess  to  have  no 
home,  or  whose  parents  have  turned  them  out  of  doors  and  take 
no  care  of  them, — beggars  and  other  persons  discovered  in  situa- 
tions which  imply  the  intention  of  stealing,  and  numbers  who  were 
found  sleeping  in  the  streets  or  in  stables.  These  miserable  objects 
are  brought  to  the  Police  Office  under  suspicious  circumstances, — 
and,  according  to  the  result  of  their  examinations,  they  are  senten- 
ced as  before  mentioned.  Many  of  these  are  young  people  on 
whom  the  charge  of  crime  cannot  be  fastened,  and  whose  only  fault 
is,  that  they  have  no  one  on  earth  to  take  care  of  them,  and  that 
they  are  incapable  of  providing  for  themselves.  Hundreds,  it  is 
believed,  thus  circumstanced,  eventually  have  recourse  to  petty 
thefts;  or,  if  females,  they  descend  to  practices  of  infamy,  in  order 
to  save  themselves  from  the  pinching  assaults  of  cold  and  hunger. 
The  list  furnished  us,  affords  numerous  instances,  especially  of  fe- 
males, who  request  to  be  sent  to  the  Penitentiary,  as  a  favor — as 
their  only  resource  and  refuge  from  greater  evils. 

The  District  Attorney,  in  the  explanations  which  accompany 
his  abstract,  observes,  "  that  many  of  each  description  might  be 
"  saved  from  continued  transgression,  no  one  can  doubt,  who.  will 
"  examine  the  statement  that  I  have  made  from  the  records  of  the 
"  Police  Office  for  the  year  1822.  This  abstract  contains  the  names 
"  of  more  than  450  persons,  male  and  female,  none  over  the  age 
"  of  25,  many  much  younger,  and  some  so  young  as  to  be  presumed 
"incapable  of  crime. 

"All  these  have  been  convicted  by  the  Police  Magistrates  as 
"disorderly  persons,  and  imprisoned  as  such.  . 

"Many  others  not  mentioned,  have  been  discharged,  from  an 
"unwillingness  to  imprison,  in  hope  of  reformation,  or  under  pe- 
culiar circumstances. 

"Many  notorious  thieves,  infesting  the  city,  were  at  first  idle, 
"vagrant  boys,  imprisoned  for  a  short  period  to  keep  them  from 
"mischief.  A  second  and  a  third  imprisonment  is  inflicted,  the 
"prison  becomes  familiar  and  agreeable,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
"their  sentence,  they  come  out  accomplished  in  iniquity. 

"  I  have  already  mentioned,"  observes  the  District  Attorney, 
"that  this  statement  does  not  include  prisoners,  indicted  and  tried 
"at  the  Court  of  Sessions.  At  each  term  of  the  Court  (the  terms 
"  are  once  a  month,)  the  average  number  of  lads  arraigned  for  pet- 
"ty  thefts,  is  five  or  six;  and  I  regret  to  state,  that  lately  high 
"  crimes  have  been  perpetrated  in  several  instances,  by  boys  not 
"  over  16,  who,  at  first,  were  idle,  street  vagrants,  and,  by  degrees, 
"  thieves,  burglars,  and  robbers." 

From  further  information  it  appears,  that  about  60  persons  are, 
upon  an  average,  indicted  and  arraigned  at  each  term  of  the  Court 
of  Sessions,  for  misdemeanors  and  felonies ;  and  that  out  of  this 
number,  four  or  five  are  boys  under  sixteen  years  of  age.  A  large 
proportion  of  them,  amounting  to  fifty  or  sixty  per  annum,  are 
found  guilty  and  condemned,  either  to  the  City  or  State  Peniten- 
tiary, there  to  associate  with  others  more  hardened  in  crime,  and 


15 


who  are  ever  ready  to  impart  their  instructions  in  the  arts  of  de- 
ception and  wickedness. 

It  is  now  generally  admitted,  that  in  none  of  our  prisons, — in 
the  Bridewell, — the  City  Penitentiary — or  the  State  Prison — as 
they  are  at  present  constructed,  and  conducted,  is  it  possible  to  in- 
troduce those  subdivisions,  and  restrictive  regulations,  which  are 
absolutely  essential  to  the  prevention  of  mutual  contamination,  and 
independently  of  which,  the  prospect  of  reformation  is  really  pre- 
posterous. 

In  the  City  Prison  or  Bridewell,  it  is  not  only  impossible  to  sep- 
arate the  juvenile  offenders  from  those  that  are  old  in  crime,  but 
the  rooms  are  so  small,  and  very  often  so  crowded,  as  to  produce 
an  atmosphere  both  physically  and  morally  disgusting  in  a  high 
degree,  and  certainly  adapted  to  the  debasement  of  every  virtuous 
sentiment,  and  almost  inevitably  ruinous  to  the  natural  sensibilities 
of  youth.  The  condition  of  this  prison,  in  our  estimation,  calls 
loudly  for  the  attention  of  the  police  ;  and  were  its  actual  condi- 
tion known  to  the  citizens  of  the  neighborhood,  we  think  the  no- 
tice of  Grand  Juries  would  be  often  directed  to  it,  as  a  nuisance, 
disreputable  to  the  character  of  the  city.  In  rooms  about  eighteen 
feet  square,  there  are  often  thirty  or  forty  persons,  confined  togeth- 
er without  any  discrimination  except  that  of  sex  and  color — boys 
of  nine  years  of  age  and  upwards,  sharing  the  same  dismal  fare, 
and  mingling  in  conversation  with  aged  villiany, — and  girls  of  ten 
or  twelve  exposed  to  the  company  and  example  of  the  most  aban- 
doned of  the  sex.  This  prison  has  no  yard  excepting  for  the  use 
of  the  keeper.  The  prisoners'  rooms  have  no  outlet  whatever,  not 
even  by  pipes  or  conduits,  and  no  ventilation  excepting  by  the 
door  and  windows.  The  convicts  in  these  small,  close  rooms,  are 
employed  in  picking  oakum.  The  period  of  confinement  is  from 
a  few  days  to  a  year  or  more,  and  it  is  not  unusual  for  them  to  re- 
main several  mouths.  The  present  keeper,  Mr.  Thorpe,  evidently 
conducts  the  prison  with  as  strict  an  attention  to  cleanliness  and 
order,  as  the  construction  of  the  house  and  the  nature  of  his  charge 
will  admit ;  but  both  in  verbal  and  written  communications  to  the 
committee,  he  states  unequivocally  his  opinion  of  the  impossibility 
of  classifying  the  prisoners  in  the  present  confined  and  very  imper- 
fect building,  and  the  consequent  injury  to  the  morals  of  juvenile 
offenders-  "The  number  of  boys,"  he  observes,  "  committed  to 
"this  prison,  as  nearly  as  it  can  fairly  be  estimated,  is  from  three 
"  to  four  hundred  in  the  course  of  a  year,  and  at  one  time  from  six 
"  to  nine.  They  are  committed  generally  for  trifling  offences,  such 
"as  vagrancy,  misdemeanors,  &c.  and  some  for  petit  and  very  few 
"  for  grand  larcenies.  The  proportion  that  are  committed  here  for 
"  the  second  and  third  time,  is  about  two-thirds  of  the  whole,  chief- 
"  ly  owing  to  a  want  of  residence,  or  a  return  from  transportation, 
"  or  an  escape  from  the  Alms-house.  This  prison,"  he  adds,  "is 
"  so  constructed  that  there  can  be  no  suitable  place  for  the  confine- 
"  ment  of  this  class  of  prisoners,  separate  from  old  and  hardened 
"  offenders,  with  which  it  generally  abounds  ;  and  what  induces  or 
"leads  them  to  the  commission  of  crime,  is  the  education  they  re- 
"  ceive  from  the  before  mentioned  offenders.  There  have  been  a 
"multiplicity  of  instances  where  boys  have  been  sent  here  as  va- 
grants, destitute  of  parents,  &c.  and  have  either  been  discharged> 


16 


"  transported,  or  sent  to  the  Aims-House,  and  have  returned  char- 
"  ged  with  crime,  and  when  examined,  they  have  proved  to  have 
"  had  or  received  their  education  in  this  prison.  They  are  confi- 
"  ned  with  old  and  hardened  offenders,  by  day  and  night,  because 
"  the  prison  is  so  constructed  that  it  will  not  admit  of  keeping  them 
"otherwise." 

It  may  well  be  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  a  discerning  public, 
whether  an  exposure  of  a  few  weeks,  or  even  of  a  few  days,  to  such 
company  and  fare  as  are  here  represented,  is  not  sufficient  to  sup- 
press, in  youthful  minds,  all  virtuous  emotions ;  to  reconcile  the 
feelings  to  a  life  of  guilt,  and  even  of  suffering,  shame,  and  degra- 
dation. Sleeping  upon  the  bare  floor,  Without  covering,  or  at  best 
with  only  a  coarse  and  dirty  blanket,  they  soon  learn  to  brave  the 
exposure,  and  to  disregard  the  privation. 

That  an  institution  of  this  nature,  in  a  building  so  entirely  inad- 
equate to  its  object,  and  exhibiting  so  much  that  is  repulsive  to  the 
senses,  and  deplorable  in  moral  regulation,  should  be  suffered  to 
occupy  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  beautiful  situations  in  the 
city,  we  cannot  but  consider  as  a  reflection  upon  the  humanity  and 
public  spirit  of  our  citizens  ;  and  we  indulge  the  hope,  that  the  pe- 
riod is  not  distant,  when  the  city  prison  will  be  removed  to  a  situa- 
tion of  greater  seclusion,  and  erected  upon  a  plan  which  will  admit 
of  every  facility  for  cleanliness,  ventilation,  classification,  employ- 
ment, and  perfect  inspection. 

The  Penitentiary  at  Bellevue,  three  miles  from  the  City  Hall,  is 
destined  for  convicts  from  the  city,  whose  period  of  confinement 
does  not  exceed  three  years.  This  prison,  though  comparatively 
of  modern  erection,  does  not,  we  regret  to  say,  possess  those  requi- 
sites for  convenient  distribution,  employment,  instruction,  moral 
government  and  easy  inspection,  which  the  present  improved  plans 
for  prisons  so  readily  afford.  The  boys,  it  is  true,  are  here  sepa- 
rated from  the  old  offenders  ;  but  this,  though  it  is  the  first  impor- 
tant step  in  classification,  is  entirely  insufficient  to  answer  the  de- 
sired end  of  reformation.  No  principle  of  our  common  nature  is 
better  established,  than  that  "evil  communications  corrupt  good 
manners."  It  is  certainly  as  necessary,  in  order  to  preserve  the 
moral  sensibilities  of  youth,  to  keep  them  from  the  society  of  cor- 
rupt persons  of  their  own.  age  and  class,  as  it  is  from  the  company 
of  older  criminals.  Boys  imitate  each  other*  both  in  virtue  and  in 
vice,  more  naturally  and  more  rapidly  than  they  do  those  who  are 
much  their  superiors  in  age.  They  may  not,  indeed,  receive  from 
each  other,  such  profound  lessons  in  the  science  of  crime,  nor  hear 
from  the  lips  of  their  equals,  observations,  which  will  tend  so  ef- 
fectually to  blast  every  germ  of  compunctive  feeling,  and  establish 
the  guilty  soul  in  the  principles  of  infidelity  and  misanthropy;  but 
with  associates  of  their  own  cast,  they  will  more  readily  assimilate, 
and  their  initiation  in  depravity  may  prove  the  more  certain.  It  is 
well  known,  that  when  vagrant  children  are  taken  up,  on  their  first 
offence,  and  threatened  with  imprisonment,  they  frequently  evince 
great  penitence  and  contrition,  entreat  forgiveness  on  the  promise 
of  better  conduct,  and  deprecate  a  confinement  in  gaol  with  cries' 
of  distress  and  horror.  But  a  familiarity  with  the  company  they 
find  there,  soon  wears  off'  this  repugnance,  and  renders  a  second 
conviction  a  thing  of  comparative  inditlerence.    Hence,  to  convert 


17 


a  prison  into  a  real  Penitentiary,  there  ought  to  be,  in  a  collection 
even  of  juvenile  offenders,  at  least  half  a  dozen  different  classes, 
not  regulated  by  age ;  for  it  is  obvious  that  a  prisoner  of  eighteen 
may  be  far  less  guilty,  less  hardened,  and  more  open  to  the  visita- 
tions of  remorse  and  shame,  than  others  of  twelve  or  fourteen. 
The  divisions  should  therefore  depend  upon  an  experimental  inqui- 
ry into  their  moral  character  and  dispositions,  and  a  knowledge  of 
their  previous  habits. 

The  most  important  facts  relative  to  the  Bellevue  prison,  as  con- 
nected with  the  objects  of  this  report,  will  be  best  understood  from 
the  following  answers  of  Arthur  Burtis,  Esq.,  superintendent  of 
that  extensive  establishment,  to  questions  sent  to  him  from  this 
committee. 

Ques.  1.  What  number  of  boys  are  sent  to  the  Penitentiary  in 
the  course  of  a  year,  and  of  what  ages  ;  and  what  is  the  average 
number  at  onetime  in  the  prison? 

Ans.  The  average  number  of  boys  sent  to  the  Penitentiary  for 
the  last  three  years,  has  been  seventy-five  per  year,  from  twelve 
to  sixteen  years  old.  The  average  at  one  time  in  the  house  is  about 
thirty-five. x 

Ques.  2.  For  what  offences  generally  are  they  imprisoned? 
Ans.  Most  generally  for  petit  larceny  and  vagrancy. 
Ques.  3.  What  proportion  of  them  are  sent  there  for  the  second 
or  third  time  ? 

Ans.  About  one-half  are  in  for  the  second  and  third  time  ;  but  it 
is  impossible  to  be  exact,  as  the  same  boys  come  in  by  so  many 
different  names. 

Ques.  4.  How  far  are  the  boys  instructed  ? 

Ans.  They  are  taught  the  catechism,  and  to  read  and  write. 

Ques.  5.  How  far  are  they  put  to  labor,  in  the  Penitentiary  ? 

Ans.  We  have  not  put  them  to  labor,  except  a  part  in  the  Pin 
Factory. 

Ques.  6.  What  effect  has  the  present  treatment  upon  them,  in 
reference  to  their  reformation  and  future  usefulness  ? 

A?is.  The  effect  of  their  present  condition  is  deplorable.  Instead 
of  reformation,  they  must  become  worse,  as  we  are  compelled  to 
put  a  boy  for  his  first,  perhaps  small  crime,  with  the  old  offender, 
if  not  in  years,  in  crime,  in  the  same  room. 

Ques.  7.  What  proportion  of  them  are  destitute  of  parents,  or 
other  persons  to  take  charge  of  them? 

Ans.  About  two-thirds  have  one  or  more  parents,  but  in  al- 
most every  case  their  parents  have  taken  very  little  or  no  care  of 
them. 

Ques.  8.  As  far  as  you  have  experience,  what  is  the  origin,  or 
what  leads  to  the  commission  of  offences  by  boys  of  those  ages? 

Ans.  The  principal  cause  of  Juvenile  Delinquency,  is,  first,  the 
bad  example  they  have  from  their  parents  and  guardians;  when 
small,  they  are  allowed  to  run  at  large  without  restraint.  No  child 
will  be  a  vagrant,  if  put  and  kept  steadily  to  a  well-regulated  school, 
biit  for  a  few-years. — But  the  reason  why  their  parents  will  not 
send  them,  is,  the  encouragement  which  our  citizens  give,  (and  no 
doubt  from  the  best  motives,)  to  begging.  When  a  poor  child 
calls  at  a  gentleman's  house  for  a  little  cold  victuals,  who  can  re- 
fuse, when  they  have  it,  and  especially,  since,  if  not  given  it  must 

3 


18 


be  thrown  away  ?  Dut  if  our  citizens  were  aware  of  the  evil,  I  am 
sure  they  would  make  a  universal  stop.  I  can  not  learn  of  one 
child  that  has  been  in  the  habit  of  begging,  who  has  not  turned  out 
a  prostitute,  or  vagrant;  and  their  begging  serves  only  to  keep  their 
parents  in  idleness  and  profligacy  :  for  they  find  it  so  profitable, 
that,  if  they  have  one  or  two  good  begging  children,  (as  they  term 
it,)  it  is  all  they  want;  all  they  can  get  by  other  means,  goes  for 
drink.  Another  cause,  is,  sending  small  children  round  the  docks, 
under  the  pretence  of  picking  chips,  and  .whatever  they  can  find  ; 
in  peddling  small  articles  onboard  of  sloops,  and  through  the  streets, 
<fcc.  These  habits  introduce  them  into  bad  company,  and  prove  an 
almost  certain  cause  of  their  ruin.  It  is  hoped  that  they  may  be 
discountenanced  by  all  good  citizens. 

Ques.  9.  What  proportion  of  them  can  read  and  write,  at  the 
time  of  their  committal  ? 

Ans.  About  one  in  eight. 

Ques.  10.  How  far  are  the  boys  separate  from  old  offenders  by 
day  and  by  night? 

Ans.  They  are  kept  entirely  separate,  except  a  few  who  are  in 
the  Pin  Factory,  and  they  are  under  the  care  of  a  keeper. 

From  the  exposition  thus  given  of  the  subjects  referred  to  their 
consideration,  the  Committee  cannot  but  indulge  the  belief,  that 
the  inference  which  will  be  drawn  by  every  citizen  of  New-York, 
from  the  fact-i  now  laid  before  him,  will  be  in  perfect  accordance 
with  their  own, — that  it  is  highly  expedient  that  A  House  of  Re- 
fuge for  Juvenile  Delinquents,  should,  as  soon  as  practicable, 
be  established  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  this  city. 

The  subject  presents  itself  to  the  minds  of  your  Committee,  as 
one  of  the  deepest  importance.  Such  a  proposition  appears  to  us 
to  come  forward  at  the  present  time,  clothed  with  all  the  authority 
which  can  be  arrived  from  considerations  not  only  of  humanity,  of 
mercy,  of  christian  tenderness,  and  parental  feeling  ;  but  of  a  due 
regard  for  the  honor  and  reputation  of  this  metropolis.  To  suffer 
such  a  building  as  the  present  Bridewell  to  remain  in  activity  for  a 
single  year,  after  the  appalling  facts  have  been  fairly  disclosed  of 
its  total  inadequacy  to  the  purposes  of  such  an  institution,  and  the 
inevitable  corruption  of  our  youth,  which  results  day  by  day,  and 
hour  by  hour,  from  its  continuance, — what  is  this  but  to  view  with 
complacency,  and  even  to  sanction  by  our  apathy,  a  school,  whose 
lessons  of  moral  turpitude  and  of  dark  iniquity,  must  assuredly 
render  its  pupils  adepts  in  crime,  and  lost  to  all  rational  expecta- 
tions of  happiness  as  social  and  accountable  beings.  What  parent 
or  guardian,  who  has  had  to  contend  in  the  execution  of  his  charge, 
with  the  innate  perversities  of  human  nature,  and  to  enlist  in  the 
struggle  between  the  powers  of  light  and  darkness,  but  must  shud- 
der at  the  bare  possibility,  that  the  child  of  a  near  and  valued  con- 
nexion, should,  through  the  enticements  of  wicked  associates, 
chance  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  officers  of  justice  in  this  city, 
and  be  placed  as  an  apprentice  in  this  school ! 

The  present  is  emphatically  an  age  of  humanity, — of  unusual 
sympathy,  on  the  part  of  the  wise  and  virtuous,  not  only  for  those 
who  are  suffering  from  the  unavoidable  calamities  of  the  world,  but 
for  those  who,  untaught  and  unprotected,  are  left  to  struggle  with 
its  mauifold  temptations.    It  is  a  period  in  which  science  is  display- 


19 


ingits  vast  and  increasing  resources,  not  only  in  the  conveniences 
and  embellishments  of  life,  but  in  advancing  the  interests  of  human- 
ity, and  facilitating  the  means  by  which  men  may  become  wiser  and 
better.  Prisons  and  hospitals  have  felt  and  are  feeling  its  benign 
influence.  The  diseases  of  the  body  and  the  maladies  of  the  mind, 
have  experienced  its  relieving  hand, — and  even  the  moral  disorders 
of  our  corrupt  nature,  have  fallen  within  the  circumference  of  its 
beneficent  energies.  Abroad  and  at  home,  there  is  a  spirit  of  more 
than  ordinary  benevolence,  seeking  for  the  means  by  which  it  may 
invade  more  effectually,  the  domains  of  prejudice  and  folly,  and  re- 
lieve the  sufferings  which  they  have  entailed  for  ages  upon  their 
victims.  In  that  quarter  of  the  field  which  it  has  been  our  object 
to  explore,  much  has  been  done  in  other  places,  and  unless  this  city 
shall  speedily  renew  its  efforts,  we  shall  soon  be  left  greatly  in  the 
rear  in  this  progress  of  humanity. 

That  the  views  of  your  committee,  in  relation  to  a  House  of  Re- 
fuge, are  not  unsupported  by  the  opinion  of  many  of  their  fellow - 
citizens,  who  have  had  the  most  extensive  opportunities  of  forming 
a  correct  estimate  of  its  importance,  they  can  confidently  affirm. 
The  District  Attorney,  in  reference  to  a  House  of  Refuge,  remarks, 
in  his  communication  to  the  committee,  "  That  many  of  each  de- 
scription might  be  saved"  by  it,  "from  continued  transgression, 
"  no  one  can  doubt  who  will  examine  the  statement  which  I  have 
"made  from  the  records  of  the  Police  Office  for  1822.  This  ab- 
"  stract  contains  the  names  of  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty 
"  persons,  male  and  female,  none  over  the  age  of  25,  many  much 
"  younger,  and  some  so  young  as  to  be  presumed  incapable  of  crime. 
"  Many  others  not  mentioned  have  been  discharged ;  from  an  un- 
"  willingness  to  imprison,  in  hope  of  reformation,  or  under  peculiar 
"circumstances.  Such  facts,"  he  adds,  "must  satisfy  every  one  of 
"  the  necessity  of  a  House  of  Refuge.  It  would  be  indeed  difficult 
"  to  determine  who  would  and  who  would  not  be  influenced  by  such 
"  an  institution,  to  leave  the  paths  of  vice  :  unworthy  objects  might 
"  be  received, — imposition  practiced ;  yet  surely  out  of  three  or 
"  four  hundred  miserable  beings,  some  would  be  found  worthy  of 
"protection,  and  desirous  of  amendment. 

"  Legislative  interference  must  be  had  to  carry  into  full  effect  the 
"objects  of  your  institution. 

"  The  law  under  which  the  Police  Magistrates  convict  as  va- 
"  grants,  &c,  ought  to  be  amended  to  authorise  them  in  proper  ca- 
"  ses,  when  the  culprit  consents,  to  deliver  the  party  to  the  direc- 
"  tors  of  the  House  of  Refuge.  The  court  ought  to  be  empowered, 
"  when  boys  under  fourteen  shall  have  been  acquitted  of  a  theft, 
"  on  account  of  their  tender  years  to  dispose  of  them  in  like  man- 
"ner  ;  always  consulting  the  views  of  the  persons  who  may  have 
"charge  of  your  proposed  institution."  Thus  far  the  District  At- 
"  torney. 

The  keeper  of  the  City  Prison  (Bridewell,)  says  in  his  letter  ; 
"  The  proposition  of  the  society  for  erecting  a  House  of  Refuge, 
"meets  my  warmest  approbation.  Of  the  boys  who  are  committed 
"  here,  I  presume  there  might  be,  with  care  and  attention,  about 
"  one-third  received  in  a  House  of  Refuge,  with  hopes  of  reforma- 
"  tion.  The  expense  of  supporting  boys  in  a  House  of  Refuge 
"  would  not  materially  vary  from  15  to' 20  cents  per  day." 


20 


The  Superintendent  of  the  Bellevue  establishment,  thus  replies 

to  the  queries  of  the  committee  in  reference  to  this  immediate  ob- 
ject:— 

Qurs.  11.  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  expediency  of  establish- 
ing a  House  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delinquents? 

Ans.  I  believe  it  feasible  and  necessary ;  or  we  must  continue  to 
have  our  city  thronged  with  young,  idle  \agrants.  I  think  it  char- 
itable, humane,  and  economical. 

Ques.  12.  Of  the  boys  who  are  in  general  committed  to  the  Pen- 
itentiary, what  proportion  do  you  think  might  be  received  into  a 
House  of  Refuge  with  a  fair  prospect  of  their  reformation? 

Ans.  I  think  two-thirds  may  be  made  useful  to  themselves  and 
the  public. 

Ques.  13.  To  what  mechanical,  or  other  employments  could 
boys  be  put,  in  a  House  of  Refuge,  to  the  most  advantage  ? 

Ans.  What  mechanical  employment  will  be  the  most  advantage- 
ous, it  is  impossible  for  me  to  say.  I  should  however  suggest  that 
they  be  put  to  different  trades  as  application  is  offered  for  their  la- 
bor. 

Ques,  14.  Would  it  be  more  economical  to  hire  out  their  servi- 
ces by  contract,  to  labor  in  the  Establishment,  or  to  procure  raw 
materials,  and  work  them  on  account  of  the  House  of  Refuge? 

Ans.  I  have  no  doubt  that  hiring  them  out  by  contract  would  be 
the  most  economical. 

Ques.  15.  What  is  the  expense  of  supporting  a  boy  per  day  in 
the  Penitentiary? 

Ans.  About  9  cents  per  day. 

Ques.  16.  What  do  you  think  would  be  the  expense  of  support- 
ing them  in  a  House  of  Refuge? 

Ans.  In  a  Temporary  Refuge  it  will  cost  at  least  12  cents  per 
day,  but  in  a  Permanent,  I  should  hope  they  would  maintain  them- 
selves. 

Ques.  17.  Would  it  be  necessary  to  deprive  them  of  their  liberty 
by  restraints  of  walls  or  otherwise  ? 

Ans.  They  must  be  kept  secure  until  the  keeper  and  committee 
are  well  acquainted  with  their  wishes  and  character. 

Ques.  18.  What  proportion  of  them  do  you  think  would  con- 
sent to  be  bound  by  indentures  to  go  to  sea,  or  to  the  country. 

Ans.  They  will  all  consent ;  that  must  be  left  to  the  judgment 
of  the  committee. 

In  answer  to  your  general  inquiry,  I  should  suggest  a  Tempora- 
ry and  a  Permanent  Refuge :  the  Temporary  to  receive  all  Juve- 
nile Offenders — to  contain  separate  apartments  for  Classification ; 
there  to  have  them  taught  and  employed  at  such  trades  as  may  be 
found  convenient,  and  not  burthensome,  with  proper  rewards  and 
punishments,  and  from  these  bind  out  all  that  after  a  proper  ac- 
quaintance with  their  characters  and  wishes,  give  a  reasonable  hope 
of  reformation,  to  merchants,  farmers,  or  as  seamen;  with  an  as- 
surance, if  they  should  behave  improperly  again,  they  will  have  to 
go  into  the  Permanent  Refuge. 

The  Permanent  Refuge  should  receive  all  those  in  whom  there  i3 
no  reasonable  hope  of  reformation,  and  those  that  should  return  to 
bad  practices,  after  being  put  out  of  the  Temporary  Refuge  ;  these 


21 


should  be  taught  such  trades  as  will  be  found  most  useful  and  con- 
venient, as  applications  may  offer. 
July  3,  1823. 

Thus  supported  in  their  views  of  the  importance  of  a  House  of 
Refuge,  by  a  mass  of  interesting  facts,  and  by  men,  whose  oppor- 
tunities of  practical  information  and  judgment  entitle  their  opinions 
to  much  respect,  the  committee  cannot  but  indulge  the  belief,  that 
the  proposition  of  the  society  will  meet  with  the  prompt  and  cor- 
dial support  of  their  fellow-citizens,  with  the  unhesitating  patronage 
of  the  Corporation,  and  the  approval  of  the  Legislature.  It  re- 
mains for  them  to  state  more  particularly  their  views  of  the  plan 
of  such  an  institution,  and  to  enter  into  a  few  details,  relative  to  its 
arrangement,  and  to  advert  to  the  success  which  has  been  obtained 
in  some  other  countries,  in  the  erection  and  progress  of  similar  es- 
tablishments. 

The  design  of  the  proposed  institution  is,  to  furnish,  in  the  first 
placet  an  asylum,  in  which  boys  under  a  certain  age,  who  become 
subject  to  the  notice  of  our  Police,  either  as  vagrants,  or  houseless, 
or  charged  with  petty  crimes,  may  be  received,  judiciously  classed 
according  to  their  degrees  of  depravity  or  innocence,  put  to  work 
at  such  employments  as  will  tend  to  encourage  industry  and  ingen- 
uity, taught  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  and  most  carefully  in- 
structed in  the  nature  of  their  moral  and  religious  obligations,  while 
at  the  same  time,  they  are  subjected  to  a  course  of  treatment,  that 
will  afford  a  prompt  and  energetic  corrective  of  their  vicious  pro- 
pensities, and  hold  out  every  possible  inducement  to  reformation 
and  good  conduct.  It  will  undoubtedly  happen,  that  among  boys 
collected  from  such  sources,  there  will  be  some,  whose  habits  and 
propensities  are  of  the  most  unpromising  description.  Such  boys, 
when  left  to  run  at  large  in  the  city,  become  the  pests  of  society, 
and  spread  corruption  wherever  they  go.  To  expect  the  reforma- 
tion of  such,  by  the  ordinary  chances  of  Sunday  schools,  churches, 
or  admonitions  from  Magistrates,  would  be  vain  and  fruitless. 
There  may  be  some,  who,  in  the  best  regulated  institution,  would 
prove  altogether  incorrigible.  But  if  placed  in  a  situation  in  which 
their  dress,  their  food,  their  labor,  their  privations,  and  enjoyments, 
are  all  made  to  depend  on  their  conduct ;  and  in  which  every  im- 
portant step  in  the  progress  of  improvements,  advances  them  into 
a  better  class,  and  greater  comforts, — when  they  learn  to  know 
that  a  daily  register  is  made  of  their  conduct,  that  this  register  is 
inspected  by  the  governors  of  the  institution,  and  by  respectable 
visiters, — that  the  public  eye  is  thus  fixed  upon  them,  and  their  fu- 
ture welfare  has  become  the  subject  of  public  concern — is  it  not 
probable  that  in  a  majority  of  cases,  the  latent  sparks  of  emulation 
may  be  elicited,  and  fanned  into  a  goodly  desire  that  they  may  yet 
live  to  honor  their  country,  and  to  reward  the  assiduity  which  thus 
labors  to  save  them  ?  Such  an  institution  w  ould,  in  time,  exhibit 
scarcely  any  other  than  the  character  of  a  decent  school  and  man- 
ufactory. It  need  not  be  invested  with  the  insignia  of  a  prison. 
It  should  be  surrounded  only  w7ith  a  high  fence,  like  many  facto- 
ries in  the  neighborhood  of  cities,  and  carefully  closed  in  front. 
Second. — In  addition  to  the  class  of  boys  just  mentioned,  the  com- 
mittee have  no  doubt  that  wrere  such  an  institution  once  well  estab- 
lished, and  put  under  good  regulation,  the  Magistrates  would  very 


22 


often  deem  it  expedient  to  place  offenders  in  the  hands  of  its  Man- 
agers, rather  than  to  sentence  them  to  the  City  Penitentiary.  The 
gradations  of  crime  are  almost  infinite;  and  so  minute  are  the  shades 
of  guilt,  so  remote,  or  so  intimate  the  connexion  between  legal 
criminality,  and  previous  character,  it  would  often  be  judged  rea- 
sonable to  use  all  the  discretion  which  the  law  would  possibly  ad- 
mit, in  deciding  upon  the  offence  and  the  destination  of  juvenile  de- 
linquents; and  every  principle  of  justice  and  mercy,  would  point, 
in  numerous  cases  of  conviction  for  crime  to  such  a  refuge  and  re- 
formatory, rather  than  to  the  Bridewell  or  City  Prison. 

A  third  class  which  it  might  be  very  proper  to  transplant  to  such 
an  establishment,  and  to  distribute  through  its  better  divisons,  are 
boys,  (some  of  whom  are  of  tender  age,)  whose  parents,  either 
from  vice  or  indolence,  are  careless  of  their  minds  and  morals,  and 
leave  them  exposed  in  rags  and  filth,  to  miserable  and  scanty  fare, 
destitute  of  education,  and  liable  to  become  the  prey  of  criminal 
associates.  Many  of  such  parents  would  probably  be  willing  to  in- 
denture their  children  to  the  managers  of  a  House  of  Refuge  ;  and 
far  better  would  it  be  for  these  juvenile  sufferers,  that  they  should 
be  thus  rescued  from  impending  ruin.  The  laws  of  this  state,  do 
not,  as  in  Massachusetts  and  some  other  places,  authorize  magis- 
trates to  use  compulsory  measures  with  parents  who  thus  grossly 
abuse  their  charge,  and,  at  the  same  time,  absolutely  refuse  to  re- 
sign their  children  to  the  hands  of  the  guardians  of  the  poor ;  but 
it  is  surely  presumable,  that  were  suitable  provision  made  for  the 
economical  support  and  instruction  of  such  children,  a  law  for  this 
purpose  might  readily  be  obtained. 

There  is  still  a  fourth  description  of  youthful  delinquents  for 
whom  the  contemplated  establishment  would  afford  a  most  season- 
able and  essential  refuge  from  almost  inevitable  suffering  and  dete- 
rioration: that  is  those  youthful  convicts,  who,  on  their  discharge 
from  prison,  at  the  expiration  of  their  sentence,  finding  themselves 
without  character,  without  subsistence,  and  ignorant  of  the  means 
by  which  it  is  to  be  sought,  have  no  alternative  but  to  beg  or  steal. 
They  may,  perhaps,  be  provided  for  at  the  Aims-House  during  a 
few  days,  or  they  may  receive  the  admonitions  and  advice  of  the 
superintendents  how  to  conduct  themselves,  but  this  can  avail  them 
but  little,  and  with  their  previous  habits  unaltered,  and  their  vicious 
propensities  aggravated  by  corrupt  intercourse,  they  again  become 
depredators,  and  are  again  consigned  to  the  same,  or  to  some  other 
prison,  and  most  probably  under  a  different  name.  Your  commit- 
tee, cannot  but  consider  a  House  of  Refuge  for  such  outcasts  from 
society  as  a  desideratum  called  for  by  every  principle  of  humanity 
and  christian  benevolence.  Here  they  will  be  put  to  work,  and 
treated  acoording  to  their  dispositions  and  behavior;  their  capaci- 
ties for  useful  service  will  become  known;  habits  of  industry  will 
be  acquired;  moral  precepts  will  be  implanted  ;  and  suitable  places 
will  be  eventually  obtained  for  them,  in  which  they  may  have  eve- 
ry opportunity  of  becoming  honest  and  useful  members  of  the  com- 
munity. 

There  remains  to  be  noticed  but  one  more  class,  for  whom  a 
House  of  Industry  and  Correction,  under  the  management  we  con- 
template, would  be  an  appropriate  place  for  reformation  and  im- 
provement.   We  allude  to  that  class  of  delinquent  females,  who 


23 


are  either  too  young;  to  have  acquired  habits  of  fixed  depravity,  or 
those  whose  lives  have  in  general  been  virtuous,  but  who,  having 
yielded  to  the  seductive  influence  of  corrupt  associates,  have  sud- 
denly to  endure  the  bitterness  of  lost  reputation,  and  are  cast  for- 
lorn and  destitute  upon  a  cold  and  unfeeling  public,  full  of  com- 
punction for  their  errors,  and  anxious  to  be  restored  to  the  paths 
of  innocence  and  usefulness.  That  there  are  many  females  of  ten- 
der age  just  in  those  predicaments  in  this  city,  none  can  doubt  who 
surveys  the  list  of  last  year's  culprits,  furnished  by  the  District  At- 
torney. In  this  list,  are  the  names  of  thirteen  females,  of  14  years 
of  age,  fourteen  others  of  15  and  16,  and  about  forty  of  17  and  18. 
The  ages  of  a  considerable  number  in  this  appalling  catalogue  have 
not  been  inserted,  and  it  is  by  no  means  to  be  supposed  that  even 
a  majority  of  those  unhappy  females  who  are  in  the  predicament 
we  have  alluded  to,  have  become  the  subjects  of  police  investiga- 
tion. 

It  is  very  far  from  the  intention  of  the  Committee,  to  propose, 
that  the  contemplated  Refuge  should  become  the  receptacle  of  fe- 
males whose  ages  and  habitudes  in  the  paths  of  guilt,  render  their 
restoration  to  society  a  question  of  dubious  result.  However  de- 
sirable it  may  be,  that  an  institution  should  be  formed  for  the  spe- 
cial purpose  of  affording  the  means  of  reformation,  to  those  who 
are  sincerely  desirous  to  abandon  a  life  of  such  debasement  and 
wretchedness,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  expressing  the  belief,  that 
it  ought  to  be  altogether  detached  from  every  other  concern,  and 
conducted  by  a  separate  association,  and  with  the  most  prudent  at- 
tention to  delicacy  and  retirement.  But  within  the  ages  and  under 
the  circumstances  we  have  alluded  to,  it  is  our  decided  opinion, — 
an  opinion  founded  not  only  upon  the  reasonableness  of  the  propo- 
sition, but  upon  the  result  of  similar  institutions  in  Europe,  that 
destitute  females  might  form  one  department  of  the  establishment, 
with  the  greatest  benefit  to  themselves,  and  with  advantage  to  the 
institution.  Occupying  apartments  entirely  distinct  from  those  of 
the  other  sex,  and  separated  from  them  by  impassable  barriers,  the 
females  might  contribute,  by  their  labor,  to  promote  the  interests 
of  the  establishment,  and  at  the  same  time,  derive  from  it  their  full 
and  appropriate  share  of  benefit.  On  this  point,  however,  the  Com- 
mittee only  mean  to  express  their  opinion,  without  urging  it  as  an 
indispensable  part  of  the  concern. 

The  idea  suggested  by  the  Superintendent  of  the  Aims-House 
of  two  distinct  institutions,  a  Permanent  and  a  Temporary  Refuge, 
seems  naturally  to  have  sprung  from  the  consideration  of  a  distinc- 
tion which  will  doubtless  be  found  to  prevail  among  the  inmates 
of  such  a  Penitentiary,  viz. — a  separation  of  those  who  are  obvi- 
ously susceptible  of  reformation,  from  those  whose  vicious  pro- 
pensities appear  to  be  incorrigible.  But  we  do  not  conceive  it  ne- 
cessary to  carry  this  principle  to  the  length  of  having  two  distinct 
erections  ; — nor  is  it  apprehended  that  two  classes  will  by  any  means 
be  sufficient.  Even  if  there  should  be  no  more  than  forty  or  fifty 
inmates  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  we  believe  that  there  ought  to  be 
at  least  six  classes,  in  order  to  form  such  a  separation  of  character, 
and  establish  such  a  gradation  of  treatment,  as  to  afford  a  perpetual 
and  powerful  stimulus  to  improvement  and  reformation.  We  would 
make  a  distinction  in  each  of  these  classes  in  their  dress,  diet,  lodg- 


24 


ing,  hours  oflabor,  recreation,  &c,  and  we  doubt  not  that  these 
and  other  modes  of  treatment,  would  be  found  quite  sufficient  to 
break  down  the  most  stubborn  dispositions,  without  having  recourse 
to  flagellation,  or  other  personally  degrading  modes  of  punishment. 
The  middling  and  lower  classes,  should  in  no  wise  differ  in  appear- 
ance from  a  decent  and  well  ordered  school  and  manufactory.  But 
we  should  rely  above  all  in  the  reformation  of  our  subjects,  upon  a 
careful,  unabated,  and  judicious  course  of  moral  and  religious  in- 
struction. The  Bible  should  become  familiar, — the  admirable 
events  which  it  records,  and  the  Divine  precepts  which  it  contains, 
should  be  the  subject  not  merely  of  weekly  but  of  daily  enforce- 
ment; and,  in  order  to  render  the  moral  and  also  the  economical 
government  of  the  institution  more  efficient,  your  committee  would 
strongly  recommend  that  a  suitable  number  of  ladies  should  be  ap- 
pointed to  take  a  share  in  its  administration.  Of  the  special  and 
very  important  advantages  of  associating  the  skill,  the  discretion, 
the  tenderness,  and  fidelity  of  females,  in  concerns  of  this  nature, 
we  have  not  the  least  doubt.  In  those  countries  of  Europe,  in 
which  penitentiary  institutions,  and  establishments  for  the  support 
of  the  poor,  are  under  the  best  management,  women  aie  associated 
in  the  direction.  In  Holland,  there  is  not,  perhaps,  an  alms-house, 
or  a  house  of  correction,  in  which  the  females  do  not  take  an  active 
share;  and  in  no  part  of  the  world,  it  is  believed,  are  the  concerns 
of  charity,  and  economical  government  more  wisely  managed.  In 
England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland  also,  since  the  illustrious  example 
of  Mrs.  Fry  and  her  associates  in  Newgate,  the  humane  design  of 
ladies'  associations  has  been  greatly  encouraged,  and  accordingly 
we  are  informed  by  the  late  reports,  that  female  visiting  committees 
have  been  formed  in  the  prisons  at  Bedford,  Bristol,  Carlisle,  Ches- 
ter, Colchester,  Derby,  Durham,  Dumfries,  Exeter,  Glasgow, 
Lancaster,  Liverpool,  Nottingham,  Plymouth,  York,  and  Dub- 
lin. 

The  Committee  would  therefore  deem  themselves  very  deficient, 
did  they  not  hold  up,  in  a  prominent  point  of  view,  the  benefits  to 
be  derived  from  an  enlistment  of  the  services  of  judicious  females 
in  this  moral  warfare  against  the  vices  of  society  ;  •  and  they  would 
beg  leave  further  to  express  the  opinion,  that  if  an  association  of 
ladies  were  once  formed  for  this  purpose,  essential  benefits  might 
result  from  inviting  them  to  appoint  a  committee  for  the  regular 
visitation  and  inspection  of  our  City  Penitentiary  and  Aims- 
House.  Their  influence  and  assistance  would,  we  presume,  prove 
acceptable  and  grateful  to  the  superintendents  of  those  depart- 
ments. 

The  introduction  of  labor  would  constitute  an  important  feature 
in  the  concern,  not  only  as  a  means  of  diminishing  its  expense  and 
promoting  its  moral  influence,  but  in  order  to  supply  its  subjects 
with  that  instruction  and  with  those  habits  which  would  enable 
them,  on  leaving  the  house,  to  procure  a  decent  and  honest  liveli- 
hood. Various  kinds  of  manufactories  and  trades  might,  doubt- 
less, be  introduced  with  advantage,  and  experience  would  soon 
enable  the  managers  to  decide  upon  the  most  profitable  and  eli- 
gible. 

Although  we  are  not  apprised  of  there  being  any  where  in  the 
United  States,  a  House  of  Refuge  established  and  conducted  upon 


25 


the  principles  now  proposed ;  yet  h  is  known  to  your  Committee 
that  philanthropic  individuals,  in  various  places,  have  deemed  such 
an  establishment  a  desideratum  in  each  of  our  large  cities.  In  Bos- 
ton there  is  an  institution  approximating  in  its  object,  to  that  un- 
der consideration.  It  consists  of  a  house,  to  which  are  sent  those 
children,  whose  parents,  through  culpable  and  vicious  neglect, 
leave  them  to  roam  through  the  streets  untaught  and  unprotected. 
By  the  laws  of  Massachusetts,  children  thus  neglected,  may  be  ta- 
ken from  their  parents,  at  the  discretion  of  persons  duly  authori- 
sed, and  placed  at  school,  or  at  trades  with  suitable  masters.  In 
this  asylum,  their  time  is  divided  between  the  exercises  of  a  school 
and  manufactory,  and  when  they  have  attained  to  a  sufficient  de- 
gree of  skill  and  learning,  places  are  obtained  for  them  as  appren- 
tices at  some  useful  art  or  trade. 

But  London  and  Dublin  afford  examples,  quite  in  unison  with 
that  which  your  Committee  is  anxious  to  see  erected  in  this  city. 
In  London  there  are  several  establishments  of  this  nature,  but  the 
one  instituted  in  the  borough,  appears  to  come  nearest  in  its  gene- 
ral system  to  that  which  we  would  recommend.  It  "originated 
from  the  extent  of  Juvenile  Depredations  in  the  metropolis,  and 
from  a  desire  to  ascertain  the  causes  and  arrest  the  progress  of  this 
great  and  growing  evil.  A  large  committee  is  appointed  who  meet 
every  fortnight ;  and  sub-committees,  with  confidential  agents,  are 
employed  to  investigate  the  cases  of  individuals,  and  to  register  the 
particulars.  The  building  consists,  first  of  a  range  of  workshops  of 
one  floor,  upwards  of  500  feet  in  length,  under  which  is  a  rope- 
walk,  where  every  kind  of  lines,  twines,  and  cord  are  manufactu- 
red ;  secondly,  of  a  separate  enclosure,  used  as  a  house  of  probation 
or  reform,  for  the  criminal  classes  of  boys ;  thirdly,  of  a  similar 
receptacle  for  the  same  description  of  girls fourthly,  of  a  chapel 
for  religious  worship  ;  fifthly,  of  an  eating-room,  and  also  for  an 
evening  school-room  ;  sixthly,  of  a  warehouse,  for  the  reception, 
delivery,  and  sale  of  the  manufactured  articles;  seventhly,  of  the 
general  kitchen,  bakehouse,  and  dormitories;  and,  lastly,  of  the  re- 
quisite accommodations  for  the  superintendents.  The  quality  of 
the  food  is  proportioned  to  the  gains  of  the  youth,  or  the  hardness 
of  their  labour.  The  boys  are  bound  apprentices  for  a  certain 
number  of  years  to  the  master  workmen  employed  within  the  in- 
stitution. They  have  a  particular  dress,  and  a  badge,  which  is  left 
off  after  a  certain  period.  The  hours  of  work  are  from  six  in  the 
morning  till  six  in  the  evening  in  summer,  and  from  day  light  till' 
half  past  seven  in  winter.  The  school  is  open  four  evenings  in  the 
week  for  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic.  The  elder  boys  are  al- 
lowed to  go  out  one  day  in  the  month,  and  the  younger,  one  day 
in  three  months,  to  return  before  dark.  If  any  one  escapes  and  is 
retaken,  he  is  treated  as  a  refractory  apprentice.  The  task  assign- 
ed, is  such  as  can  easily  be  performed  ;  and  of  the  extra  labor,  one- 
half  is  allowed  as  a  reward,  a  small  part  being  given  in  money,  and 
the  rest  placed  to  his  credit,  to  be  paid  at  the  end  of  his  appren- 
ticeship. Work  of  almost  every  trade  is  done  by  the  boys.  The 
girls  are  employed  in  making,  mending,  and  washing  the  boys' 
clothes,  and  in  different  kinds  of  needle-work;  and  at  the  age  oi 
about  16,  they  are  placed  out  as  house  servants,  receiving  a  quar- 
terly gratuity  afterwards  for  good  behavior  during  a  certain  period. 

* 


26 


There  are  about  200  boys  and  girls  in  the  place,  and  the  result,  as 
to  conduct  is  extremely  gratifying." 

Some  modifications  of  this  plan  would  be  requisite  to  adapt  it  to 
the  local  circumstances  of  this  city;  but  in  its  general  character  it 
exhibits  a  cheering  evidence  of  the  blessings  which  flow  from  well- 
directed  efforts  to  inure  young  people  to  habits  of  industry,  reg- 
ularity, sobriety,  and  morality.  One  of  your  Committee  who  went 
through  the  various  wards  of  this  institution,  confirms  the  account 
which  has  been  here  given.  The  cheerful  animation  of  the  youth- 
ful laborers,  and  the  neatness  of  their  manufactured  articles,  were, 
in  the  highest  degree,  encouraging.  "Who  can  duly  appreciate  the 
importance  of  taking  from  the  streets,  boys  who  are  under  no  pa- 
rental or  guardian  control,  who  are  "exposed  to  every  temptation, 
"addicted  to  every  vice,  ignorant  of  all  that  is  good,  and  trained  by 
"  their  associates  to  the  perpetration  of  every  crime;"  and  training 
them  during  several  years  in  such  an  institution,  and  then  providing 
them  with  situations,  in  which  their  corrected  habits  will,  in  all 
probability,  render  them  examples  worthy  of  the  imitation  of  others? 

The  annual  reports  of  the  committee  detail  at  length,  numerous 
striking  cases  of  the  efficacy  of  this  Refuge,  in  producing  an  entire 
change  in  the  character  of  individual  boys  and  girls,  and  their  ob- 
taining situations  of  comfort  and  respectability.* 

"They  are,"  they  observe,  "more  happy  to  allude  to  the  suc- 
"  cess  of  this  establishment  in  reclaiming  the  youthful  character,  as 
"  much  difficulty  is  stated  to  be  felt  in  managing  juvenile  offenders 
"in  ordinary  prisons.  But  boys  in  fact  require  a  species  of  disci- 
"  pline  distinct  from  that  of  men  ;  and  as  the  gaols  of  the  metropo- 
lis, from  their  crowded  state  and  imperfect  construction,  do  not 
"admit,  without  considerable  alterations,  of  such  arrangements  as 
"are  necessary  to  reclaim  these  delinquents,  it  becomes  of  great 
"importance,  that,  at  a  period  when  crime  is  making  such  rapid 
"  progress  among  the  rising  generation,  a  prison  should  be  built 
"  solely  for  the  confinement  of  such  offenders.  It  is  not  the  wish 
"  of  the  Committee  that  one  of  these  boys  should  escape  correction; 
"  on  the  contrary,  they  would  inflict  a  punishment  that  would  be 
"  severely  felt  as  such,  but  of  an  opposite  character  and  tendency 
"from  that  now  experienced;  imprisonment  in  the  gaols  of  the 
"metropolis,  being  at  present  regarded  by  youthful  criminals,  with 
"  comparative  indifference." 

It  will  doubtless  be  acknowledged  by  the  society,  that  these  im- 
portant truths  apply,  with  almost  equal  pertinency,  to  the  state  of 
the  prisons  and  of  juvenile  criminality  in  the  city  of  New-York ; 
and  our  authorities  and  our  citizens  at  large,  may  echo  the  senti- 
ment contained  in  another  part  of  the  same  report,  that,  "  it  is  the 
"  ordination  of  Divine  Wisdom  that  man  cannot  suffer  from  the  neg- 
lect of  man,  without  mutual  injury  ;  and,  by  a  species  of  moral 
"  retribution,  society  is  punished  by  the  omission  of  its  duties  to  the 
"ignorant  and  the  guilty.  The  renewed  depredations  of  the  offen- 
"  der  when  discharged  from  confinement,  the  crimes  which  he  pro- 
"  pagates  by  his  seduction  and  influence,  spread  pollution  among 
"  all  with  whom  he  associates,  and  the  number  of  offenders  thus 
"become  indefinitely  multiplied." 


•  See  Appendix  B. 


27 


From  the  views  which  they  have  thus  laid  before  the  society, 
your  Committee  cannot  but  cherish  the  lively  expectation,  that 
when  the  public  mind  comes  to  be  impressed  with  the  nature  and 
importance  of  these  various  considerations,  there  will  be  but  one 
opinion  of  the  necessity  and  expediency  of  providing  a  place  in  this 
city,  which  shall  serve  as  a  real  penitentiary  to  the  younger  class 
of  offenders  ;  as  a  refuge  for  the  forlorn  and  destitute,  who  are  on 
the  confines  of  gross  criminality;  and  as  a  temporary  retreat  for 
the  discharged  criminal,  where  he  may  find  shelter,  labor,  and  reli- 
gious instruction,  until  someway  can  be  pointed  out  to  him  of  ob- 
taining subsistence,  without  a  recurrence  to  dishonesty  and  crime. 
If  the  actual  situation  of  these  several  classes  of  criminal  and  des- 
titute beings  in  this  city,  does  not  open  a  door  for  christian  benev- 
olence, as  inviting  in  its  promises  of  good,  as  any  of  the  various 
kinds  of  charity,  either  at  home  or  abroad  which  claim  the  atten- 
tion of  our  citizens,  your  Committee  think  they  might  in  vain  seek 
to  explore  the  miseries  of  their  fellow-creatures,  with  the  hope  of 
exciting  the  feelings  of  commiseration,  and  the  energies  of  active 
and  unwearied  humanity.  Can  it  be  right  that  we  should  extend 
our  views  to  the  wants  of  those  that  are  thousands  of  miles  from 
us,  and  close  our  eyes  upon  the  condition  of  the  worse  than  heathen, 
that  wander  in  our  streets  ?—  Shall  our  hands  be  opened,  with  dis- 
tinguished liberality,  to  the  means  of  civilizing  and  reforming  whole 

S3  J  »  S3  S3 

nations  in  the  remotest  quarters  of  the  globe,  and  closed  to  the  ob- 
vious necessities  of  the  outcasts  of  our  own  society?  Your  Com- 
mittee mean  no  reflection  whatever  on  the  schemes  so  actively 
prosecuted  of  doing  good  in  distant  parts  of  the  earth; — but  surely, 
if  this  we  ought  to  do,  the  other  we  ought  not  to  leave  undone. 

"We  venture  upon  those  remarks,  under  the  strongest  impression 
of  the  importance  of  the  subject  upon  which  we  have  undertaken 
to  dilate.  Much  more  might  be  said  in  the  way  of  elucidation  and 
argument,  but  this  is  deemed  unnecessary  :  and  we  cannot  terminate 
our  report  more  to  the  satisfaction  of  our  own  minds,  than  by  quo- 
ting the  conclusion  of  the  last  year's  report  of  the  London  Com- 
mittee for  the  improvement  of  Prison  Discipline  and  the  reforma- 
tion of  Juvenile  Offenders.  "We  live  in  times  in  which  extraor- 
"  dinary  efforts  are  in  action  for  the  moral  welfare  of  mankind ; 
"when  the  state  of  Europe  opens  channels  of  extensive  usefulness, 
"and  presents  occasions  for  immediate  exertion,  which  could 
"scarcely  have  been  anticipated,  and  which  it  would  be  criminal 
"  to  neglect.  There  seems,  too,  at  the  present  time,  to  prevail 
"  among  the  benevolent  of  different  nations,  a  unity  of  thought  and 
"design,  which  cannot  fail  to  strike  a  considerate  beholder:  and 
"  he  must  be  dead  to  sensibility,  who  can  contemplate,  without 
"  emotion,  the  intercourse  which  now  subsists  between  men  of  va- 
"rious  countries  who  are  laboring  for  the  public  good,  and  whom 
"national  differences  have  too  long  kept  asunder.  Enlightened 
"  principles  and  practical  benevolence  are  taking  deep  root.  Ar- 
"sociations,  originating  in  public  feeling  and  sanctioned  by  public 
"  authority,  are  forming  in  countries,  where  co-operation  in  deeds 
"  of  mercy,  has  hitherto  been  but  little  known.  The  moral  effects 
"  of  these  institutions  will  be  vast,  and  indeed  incalculable  not  only 
"by  the  accomplishment  of  that  which  it  is  their  professed  object 
"  to  promote ;  but  such  associations  call  into  action  the  latent  seeds 


28 


*«  of  public  virtue, — bring  together  the  pious  and  the  good  of  every 
•«  religious  sentiment  and  political  opinion,  and  eradicate  those  pre- 
judices which  too  often  alienate  affection,  and  separate  man  from 
"  man.  In  the  exercise  of  their  duties,  prison  societies  bring  into 
"  benevolent  contact  the  educated  and  the  enlightened,  with  the 
"ignorant  and  the  debased;  the  great  and  the  powerful,  with  the 
"  lowly  and  the  oppressed  ;  the  pure  and  the  elevated,  with  the  ab- 
ject and  the  guilty.  They  supply  an  important  chasm  in  the 
"  widely  extended  circle  of  human  charities  ;  connecting  those  who 
"  most  need,  with  those  who  most  effectually  can  dispense  mercy. 
"  To  behold  nation  after  nation  thus  catching  the  spirit,  and  enga- 
"  ged  in  the  arduous  struggle,  of  self-improvement ;  to,  trace  the 
"  progress  of  civilization  and  refinement,  by  the  establishment  of 
"  institutions  which  have  for  their  direct  object  the  reformation  of 
"the  vicious  and  the  succour  of  the  oppressed;  to  observe  the  rig- 
"  or  of  antiquated  custom,  and  the  relics  of  barbarism  yielding  be- 
"  fore  the  advancement  of  knowledge,  and  the  humanizing  influence 
*'  of  christian  principles — this  is  a  moral  spectacle  which  it  is  indeed 
"  a  privilege  to  witness,  and  in  which  it  is  a  glory  to  share. 

"  To  diffuse  principles,  and  cherish  feelings,  which  are  directly 
"  calculated  to  insure  respect  and  obedience  to  the  laws — meliorate 
"  the  state  of  society,  and  promote  the  present  and  eternal  well- 
-being of  man — is  the  aim  of  the  society  for  the  improvement  of 
"  Prison  Discipline  ;  and  surely  an  object  of  greater  importance 
"  cannot  engage  the  attention  or  impress  the  heart.  Of  the  various 
"  obligations  due  to  the  community,  the  prevention  of  crime,  may 
"be  ranked  among  the  most  sacred  : — whether  regarded  as  a  duty 
"enjoined  by  religion,  urged  by  enlightened  policy,  or  impelled  by 
"benevolent  feeling,  it  is  one  which  involves  the  great  interests  of 
"human  nature,  and  demands  exertions  from  which  no  man  is  enti- 
"  tied  to  consider  himself  exempt.'1 


ASSUME 
A. 

The  following  list  is  extracted  from  the  four  hundred  and  fifty 
cases  of  Juvenile  Offences,  furnished  by  the  District  Attorney, 
from  the  Records  of  the  Police  Office,  for  1822. 

Henry  H.  aged  15,  came  out  of  Bridewell,  now  charged  with 
stealing,  vagrant  thief;  sentence  6  months  to  the  Penitentiary, 

David  B.  aged  12,  brought  up  by  the  watch,  charged  with  steal- 
ing, vagrant  thief;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

William  H.  goes  about  begging,  no  home  or  business,  a  vagrant; 
6  months  Penitentiary. 

John  T.  aged  12,  no  parents,  boards  with  a  woman  in  Thomas- 
street,  cannot  tell  her  name,  came  from  Newburgh  a  week  ago,  arres- 
ted in  coming  out  of  a  house  where  he  went  to  steal,  vagrant  thief; 
6  months  Penitentiary. 

Henry  M.  aged  12,  no  place  to  live  at,  goes  out  to  beg,  charged 
with  stealing  fat,  vagrant  thief;  6  months  Penitentiary. 


29 


Joseph  P.  aged  13,  no  parents,  no  home,  goes  a  begging,  char- 
ged with  stealing,  vagrant  thief;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Oliver  R.  aged  14,  father  lives  in  Flushing,  stays  with  a  woman 
in  Mulberry-street,  no  home ;  vagrant  thief;  6  months  Peniten- 
tiary. 

George  D.  aged  14,  father  dead,  mother  in  Baltimore,  picks  up 
chips,  begs  for  victuals,  and  steals,  vagrant  thief;  6  months  Peni- 
tentiary. 

Thomas  Y.  and  James  M'D.  boys,  wandering  about  idle,  no  home, 
and  thieves;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Thomas  H.  C.  aged  12,  father  is  dead,  mother  lives  at  service, 
never  went  to  school,  been  twice  in  Bridewell,  once  in  Penitentiary, 
charged  with  stealing ;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Martha  Van  C.  aged  22,  taken  up  by  the  watch,  out  of  Peniten- 
tiary last  week,  often  in  Bridewell,  three  or  four  times  in  the  Pen- 
itentiary, no  means  of  living,  a  vagrant;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Eliza  M.  aged  15,  has  no  parents,  came  out  of  Penitentiary  in 
December  last,  been  there  twice,  charged  with  stealing;  4  months 
in  the  Penitentiary. 

Hetty  S.  aged  13,  goes  to  beg,  found  in  a  house  with  another 
stealing;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Francis  J.  aged  17,  has  no  money,  no  clothes,  no  residence;  4 
months  Penitentiary. 

Jacob  B.  aged  17,  came  out  of  the  Penitentiary  in  October  last, 
is  now  indicted  for  burglary:  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Jane  Ann  S.  aged  14,  has  been  twice  in  Bridewell;  6  months 
Penitentiary. 

Alexander  G.  aged  18,  no  occupation,  no  particular  place  of 
abode,  vagrant  thief;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Peter  W.  and  John  W.  ages  19,  both  noted  vagrants,  and  idlers, 
vagrant  thieves;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Phebe  Ann  M.  aged  19,  no  honest  means  of  living;  60  days  City 
Prison. 

Mary  Ann  T.  aged  18,  has  no  honest  means  of  support;  60  days 
City  Prison. 

John  C.  aged  19,  no  particular  place  of  residence,  charged  with 
stealing;  60  days  City  Prison. 

Samuel  S.  aged  14,  has  no  means  of  support,  came  out  of  the 
Aims-House,  vagrant;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Sally  B.  brought  up  by  the  watch,  was  taken  from  under  the 
stoop  of  the  Aims-House  ;  60  days  City  Prison. 

John  B.  brought  up  by  the  watch,  has  no  place  of  residence,  and 
is  very  filthy. 

Hannah  M.  has  no  home,  and  has  lodged  in  the  watch-house  for 
two  nights  past;  60  days  City  Prison. 

George,  alias  Rodolph  T.  aged  19,  has  no  particular  place  to  live 
at,  no  money,  no  clothes,  charged  with  stealing ;  6  months  in  the 
Penitentiary. 

Alfred  C.  aged  IS,  was  brought  up,  having  been  found  sleeping 
in  some  shavings,  destitute,  and  no  home ;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Samuel  C.  was  found  drunk  in  the  street,  without  clothes  to 
cover  his  nakedness,  no  means,  no  money;  60  days  City  Prison. 

Jane  B.  aged  18,  came  from  the  Penitentiary  a  year  ago;  6 
months  Penitentiary. 


30 


Thomas  P.  aged  15,  has  just  come  out  of  Bridewell,  has  been  in 
the  Penitentiary,  has  no  particular  place  to  live  at;  6  months  Pen- 
itentiary. 

Charles  M.,  John  B.  and  Jacob  B.,  ages  14,  were  found  sleeping 
at  night  in  a  boat,  no  homes,  no  parents ;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

William  S.  aged  11,  his  father  turned  him  out  of  the  house,  was 
found  sleeping  in  a  boat  at  night;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Sophia  H.  aged  14  years,  was  charged  with  stealing,,  goes  about 
begging,  has  been  in  Bridewell  6  times,  no  means  ;  6  months  Peni- 
tentiary. 

Alexander  C.  has  no  money,  no  business,  just  come  out  of  prison, 
no  particular  place  to  sleep  at;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Etienne  S.  aged  21,  came  from  Canada  five  months  ago,  first  of- 
fence, has  no  place  to  live  at ;  60  days  City  Prison. 

Rachel  S.  aged  18,  has  no  particular  place  to  live  at,  is  poor  and 
ragged,  was  found  in  the  street,  said  she  was  sick  ;  3  months  Peni- 
tentiary. 

Susan  J.  aged  18,  has  no  home  or  means  of  taking  care  of  her- 
self, very  filthy,  and  nearly  naked  ;  3  months  Penitentiary. 

Mary  B.  aged  16,  has  been  a  vagrant  about  two  years;  30  days 
City  Prison. 

Harriet  B.  aged  18,  has  no  Clothes,  most  of  those  on  her  back 
are  borrowed ;  60  days  City  Prison. 

Edward  Van  C.  aged  13,  was  found  at  night  sleeping  on  the  side- 
walk, has  been  once  in  Bridewell,  no  parents  ;  6  months  Peniten- 
tiary. 

John  H.  aged  13,  was  found  at  night  sleeping  on  the  side-walk, 
no  parents  ;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Lueinda  D.  aged  16,  came  out  of  Bridewell  about  two  months 
ago,  is  a  prostitute,  no  home  ;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Robert  T.  a  boy,  brought  up  charged  with  stealing,  has  been  in 
Bridewell  and  Penitentiary,  no  home  ;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

John  C.  aged  14,  has  no  parents,  was  found  sleeping  in  a  yard 
on  some  shavings;  6  months  Penitentiary. 

Maria  W.  aged  18,  lives  with  her  parents  at  the  Hook,  has  been 
a  prostitute  for  six  months  ;  4  months  Penitentiary,  &c.  &c.  &c. 

->»igin»' 

B. 

EXTRACTED  FROM  THE  LONDON  REPORTS, 

TEMPORARY  REFUGE. 

The  following  Cases  are  given,  as  an  outline  of  the  description  of 
characters  which  have  been  relieved  by  the  Committee  : — 

1. — A.  B.  aged  fourteen,  was  discharged  from  the  New  Prison, 
Clerkenwell.  When  received  under  the  care  of  the  Society,  he  had 
been  in  the  commission  of  crime  for. eight  months.  During  this 
period,  he  had  plundered  to  a  considerable  amount,  and  had  been 
engaged  in  purchasing  and  passing  forged  notes,  picking  pockets, 
and  shop-lifting.    He  was  in  the  Temporary  Refuge  for  four 


31 


months,  and  his  conduct  satisfied  the  Committee  of  the  sincerity  of 
his  professions,  and  the  earnestness  of  his  desire  to  amend  his  life. 
He  was  consequently  admitted  into  the  Permanent  Establishment, 
where  his  conduct  continued  to  afford  great  satisfaction.  He  was 
discharged  to  his  father-in-law,  who  is  by  trade  a  weaver,  and  who 
is  teaching  the  lad  his  own  trade.  The  accounts  of  his  conduct  are 
extremely  favourable,  and  such  as  to  justify  the  expectation,  that 
he  will  become  an  honest  and  industrious  member  of  society. 

2. — C.  D.  aged  seventeen,  was  discharged  from  the  Borough 
Compter.  He  had  been  apprenticed  to  a  paper-stainer,  but  having 
misconducted  himself,  left  his  master,  and  engaged  himself  as  a  gen- 
tleman's servant.  He  was  tried  in  Horsemonger-lane,  for  stealing 
lead,  in  company  with  other  bad  characters,  and  sentenced  to  one 
month's  imprisonment.  When  in  his  master's  service,  he  de- 
frauded him  to  a  considerable  amount.  On  the  discharge  of  the 
boy  from  prison,  he  applied  to  one  of  the  visiters  of  the  Society,  who 
placed  him  in  the  Temporary  Refuge,  where  his  general  conduct 
and  demeanor  have  given  general  satisfaction.  He  has  been  bound 
apprentice  for  seven  years:  and  the  accounts  received  of  his  con- 
duct are  very  favourable. 

S. — E.  F.  aged  twelve,  was  discharged  from  the  Borough  Comp- 
ter. The  father  of  this  youth  deserted  his  wife,  and  left  her  with 
five  children  to  maintain,  entirely  destitute.  This  boy  defrauded 
his  mother,  from  whom  he  stole  the  implements  of  trade,  which 
his  father  had  left  at  home.  For  this  offence,  his  mother  caused 
him  to  be  committed  to  the  Borough  Compter  for  a  week.  On  his 
discharge,  he  was  admitted  into  the  Temporary  Refuge,  and  after 
conducting  himself  with  propriety  for  six  months,  he  was  received 
into  the  Permanent  Establishment.  He  has  been  bound  appren- 
tice to  a  captain  in  the  merchant  service,  and  has  lately  returned 
from  a  voyage  of  eight  months,  and  presented  himself  to  the  com- 
mittee, with  an  excellent  character  from  his  master. 

4.  — J.  S.  aged  fourteen.  This  youth  has  been  for  eight  months 
engaged  in  the  commission  of  crime,  during  which  time  he  had 
plundered  and  defrauded  to  a  great  amount.  He  had  been  engaged 
in  purchasing  and  passing  forged  notes,  shoplifting,  picking  pock- 
ets, &c.  After  having  been  four  months  in  the  Temporary  Ref- 
uge, he  was  admitted  into  the  Permanent  Establishment,  where  he 
made  considerable  progress  as  a  tailor.  He  has  since  been  given 
up  to  his  father-in-law,  a  weaver,  who  is  teaching  him  his  own 
trade,  and  reports  to  the  Committee  that  he  is  going  on  very  well, 
and  conducts  himself  with  great  propriety. 

5.  — B.  M.  aged  sixteen.  This  youth  was  about  three  years  in 
the  service  of  different  gentlemen  as  a  footboy.  After  having  left 
his  last  place,  he  was  taken  up  for  picking  pockets,  tried  at  New- 
gate, and  sentenced  to  six  months  imprisonment  in  the  House  of 
Correction,  Cold  Bath  Fields.  He  is  now  in  the  Permanent  Estab- 
lishment, making  considerable  progress  in  his  trade  as  a  tailor,  and 
conducts  himself  with  great  propriety. 

6.  — W.  V.  aged  seventeen.  This  lad  was  apprenticed  to  a 
paper-stainer  for  some  time,  and  afterwards  engaged  as  a  gentle- 
man's servant.  He  was  tried  at  Horsemonger-lane  for  stealing 
lead,  in  company  with  some  other  lads,  and  sentenced  to  one 
month's  imprisonment,  and  to  be  flogged.    Whilst  in  the  employ- 


32 


ment  of  one  of  his  masters,  he  defrauded  him  to  a  consider- 
able amount,  but  for  this  offence  he  was  not  tried.  He  was  in  the 
Establishment  for  three  months,  and  gave  great  satisfaction  by  his 
general  conduct  and  demeanor.  He  was  then  bound  apprentice 
for  seven  years  to  a  merchant  in  Honduras,  and  the  account  both 
from  himself  and  others,  as  to  his  industry  and  integrity,  is  very 
satisfactory. 

7.  — J.  S.  aged  sixteen,  is  a  natural  child ;  he  never  knew  his 
father,  and  his  mother  has  been  dead  for  some  years.  He  was  in 
three  several  employments ;  the  first  with  a  stationer,  where  he 
learnt  part  of  the  business,  and  in  the  two  others  as  an  errand  boy. 
Unfortunately  for  him,  two  of  his  emyloyers  became  bankrupts, 
and  upon  the  failure  of  the  last,  this  lad  was  thrown  upon  the  town 
completely  destitute.  He  then  fell  into  evil  courses,  and  was  im- 
prisoned twice ;  once  for  passing  forged  notes,  and  the  second  for 
picking  a  gentleman's  pocket.  Upon  his  discharge  from  Newgate, 
he  solicited  admission  into  the  Temporary  Refuge,  and  after  re- 
maining there  four  months,  was  received  into  the  Permanent  Es- 
tablishment. He  is  now  engaged  in  the  book-binding  department, 
where  he  takes  a  leading  part,  and  bids  fair  to  be  a  useful  and  res- 
pectable member  of  society. 

8.  — J.  W,  aged  sixteen.  His  father  is  a  schoolmaster,  and  in 
consequence  of  the  misconduct  of  the  lad,  who  had  become  con- 
nected with  some  bad  boys,  he  turned  him  out  of  doors,  about  a 
year  before  he  solicited  an  asylum  in  the  Temporary  Refuge. 
From  that  period  until  his  admission,  he  was  engaged  in  the  com- 
mission of  crime,  and  was  twice  in  Newgate,  but  was  discharged  the 
last  time  by  proclamation,  none  appearing  against  him ;  from  the 
Temporary  Refuge  he  was  received  into  the  Permanent  Establish- 
ment, where  he  behaves  very  well,  and  is  making  considerable 
progress  in  his  trade  of  a  shoe-maker. 

9.  — R.  aged  eighteen.  This  lad  was  received  into  the  Tem- 
porary Refuge,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Sheriffs  of  Lon- 
don. He  had  wandered  from  the  paths  of  rectitude  twelve  months 
before  he  was  received,  six  months  of  which  had  been  passed  in 
prison.  He  behaved  orderly  and  well  whilst  in  the  Establishment, 
and  as  there  was  every  reason  to  believe  that  he  might  be  trusted 
again  in  the  world,  he  was  recommended  to  a  captain  of  an  East 
Indiaman,  and  is  now  on  his  voyage. 

10.  — R.  I.  aged  twelve  years,  Both  the  parents  of  this  boy  are 
dead.  He  was  for  some  time  in  the  work-house  of  his  parish,  from 
whence  he  was  placed  out  as  an  errand  boy.  In  this  situation  he 
robbed  his  master  of  a  one  pound  note,  and  was  sent  to  prison  for 
two  days  by  the  magistrates.  He  was  recommended  to  the  Tem- 
porary Refuge,  and  pity  being  taken  upon  his  destitute  situation, 
he  was  immediately  received.  He  is  now  in  the  Permanent  Estab- 
lishment, and  has  made  good  progress  in  his  trade.  He  conducts 
himself  perfectly  well,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  expect  that  he 
will  turn  out  an  honest  and  useful  man. 

11.  — J.  H.  aged  twenty;  this  young  man  was  in  the  navy  for 
two  years  as  servant  to  a  warrant  officer.  Having  obtained  his 
discharge,  he  was  employed  in  different  situations,  and  latterly  as 
a  potboy  in  different  public  houses.  Having  embezzled  some 
property  belonging  to  the  master  whom  he  last  served,  he  was»  ap- 


33 


prehended,  but  discharged  upon  trial,  in  consequence  of  a  flaw  in 
the  indictment.  He  solicited  admission  into  the  Temporary  Ref- 
uge, and  after  having  conducted  himself  very  well  there  for  some 
time,  was  placed  on  board  a  ship  bound  to  India,  and  is  now  on 
his  voyage. 

12. — M.  C.  aged  twenty-five  ;  a  man  of  colour,  was  born  in  Ja- 
maica, and  had  been  in  England  fifteen  years.  He  lived  nine  years 
in  the  family  of  the  gentleman  who  brought  him  to  this  country, 
and  five  years  in  another  gentleman's  service.  He  embezzled 
some  wearing  apparel  of  his  last  master,  who  immediately  dis- 
missed him  from  his  service,  but  did  not  prosecute  him.  After  be- 
ing in  some  other  employment,  he  was  apprehended  for  theft,  and 
sent  to  prison.  From  thence  he  was  received  into  the  Refuge,  and 
when  an  opportunity  offered,  was  placed  aboard  a  ship  in  the  coal 
trade.  With  this  situation  he  was  not  satisfied;  but  his  first  mas- 
ter having  met  with  him,  and  feeling  convinced  that  he  was  a  re- 
formed character,  he  has  taken  him  into  his  service  again,  and  he 
is  now  on  his  voyage  to  India  with  him. 

IS. — J.  A.  aged  sixteen.  This  lad  is  entirely  destitute,  having 
no  father  or  mother,  or  any  friend  who  could  assist  him.  He  was 
twice  imprisoned,  first  for  a  petty  theft,  and  the  second  time  as  a 
vagrant.  After  having  been  six  months  in  the  Temporary  Refuge, 
he  was  admitted  into  the  Permanent  Establishment,  where  he  is 
now  occupied  in  the  shoemaker's  shop.  He  conducts  himself  very 
well,  and  is  making  a  good  progress  in  his  trade. 

14.  — W.  B.  aged  fourteen  ;  this  lad  was  corrupted  by  some  bad 
boys  in  the  neighborhood  where  his  parents  resided.  They  per- 
suaded him  to  abscond  from  his  home  ;  and  by  them  he  was  initia- 
ted into  the  ways  of  vice.  After  having  been  a  short  time  in 
prison,  he  was  received  into  this  Establishment.  Having  expressed 
a  wish  to  go  to  sea,  he  was  sent  on  a  voyage  in  the  merchant  ser- 
vice. He  conducts  himself  well,  and  to  his  master's  satis- 
faction. 

15.  — J.  G.  aged  twelve :  this  child  absconded  from  his  father's 
house,  and  associated  with  bad  boys  for  two  months.  He  was 
then  taken  up  for  theft,  and  after  trial  was  received  into  the  Tem- 
porary Refuge,  where  he  remained  eight  months,  when  he  was  de- 
livered to  his  father.  He  now  conducts  himself  extremely  well, 
and  works  at  his  father's  trade.  Twelve  months  have  elapsed 
since  his  discharge. 

16.  — II.  P.  aged  thirteen ;  the  father  of  this  boy  has  been  sepa- 
rated for  many  years  from  his  mother,  and  now  lives  with  another 
woman.  She  declared  she  would  not  continue  with  him,  if  his 
child  remained  under  the  same  roof.  In  consequence  of  this,  the 
unnatural  father  turned  him  out  of  doors.  He  maintained  himself 
for  about  six  weeks  by  begging  and  holding  horses  in  the  street ; 
at  length,  in  a  state  of  starvation,  he  stole  a  loaf  of  bread  out  of  a 
baker's  shop.  He  was  apprehended  and  sent  to  prison  for  one 
month.  From  the  Temporary  Refuge  he  was  after  some  time,  sent 
on  a  voyage  in  a  merchant  vessel,  and  has  behaved  so  well  that  the 
captain  has  desired  that  he  might  be  apprenticed  to  him. 

17.  — T.  F.  aged  twelve  years.  This  child  robbed  his  father, 
who  is  a  poor  man,  of  some  money  which  he  had  saved  to  pay  his 
rent    Having  absconded  from  his  home,  he  was  picked  up  in  the 


34 


streets  by  a  boy  who  took  him  to  his  lodgings,  where  he  remained 
till  he  had  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  money,  and  been  robbed  of 
the  remainder.  He  then  returned  to  his  father's  house,  who  sent 
for  an  otliccr,  when  he  was  taken  to  Worship-street  Police  Office, 
and  from  thence  to  New  Prison,  Clerkenwell.  Being  recom- 
mended by  the  magistrates,  he  was  received  into  the  Temporary 
Refuge,  where  he  remained  nine  months.  He  is  now  in  the  Per- 
manent Establishment,  where  he  behaves  very  well  and  is  learn- 
ing the  trade  of  a  tailor. 

18.  — J.  B.  aged  sixteen  ;  this  boy  who  was  in  a  stationer's  ware- 
house, was  prevailed  upon  by  a  man  who  had  . former! v  been  in 
the  same  employ,  to  rob  his  master.  The  theft  being  discovered, 
he  was  apprehended  and  was  sent  to  Clerkenwell  Prison  ;  from 
thence  he  was  received  into  the  Temporary  Refuge,  and  after  being 
therefor  nine  months,  was  admitted  into  the  Permanent.  Inboth  in- 
stitutions his  conduct  has  been  good,  and  he  is  now  in  the  shoe- 
making  department. 

19.  — B.-B.  aged  fourteen  :  this  lad  had  been  employed  in  two  or 
three  different  manufactories  in  the  neighborhood  where  his 
mother  resided,  his  father  being  dead.  In  going  to  and  from  his 
mother's  house  to  the  place  of  his  employment,  he  became  con- 
nected with  some  bad  boys,  and  was  apprehended  for  stealing  a 
pint  pot  from  a  publican's  door.  He  remained  in  the  Temporary 
Refuge  four  months.  From  thence  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  baker 
by  his  mother  ;  he  has  been  in  this  situation  seven  months,  and  his 
master  gives  him  an  excellent  character. 

20.  — J.  U.  aged  sixteen.  This  lad,  whose  parents  are  dead,  ap- 
pears to  have  conducted  himself  respectably  whilst  he  was  in  dif- 
ferent situations  as  an  errand  boy,  &lc.  Being  out  of  employment, 
he  became  connected  with  some  bad  characters,  and  unfortunately 
was  prevailed  upon  by  them  to  commit  a  theft.  For  this  he  was 
apprehended  and  commited  to  Newgate,  where  he  lay  twelve 
wreeks.  After  his  discharge,  he  was  received  into  the  Temporary 
Refuge,  from  whence,  after  eight  months,  he  was  admitted  into  the 
Permanent.  There  he  is  engaged  in  the  shoemaking  shop :  he 
conducts  himself  well,  and  makes  great  progress  in  his  trade. 

21.  — C.  E.  aged  sixteen  years.  This  lad,  whose  father  is  an 
honest  and  industrious  man,  was  employed  for  some  time  as  an 
errand  boy ;  but  having  become  acquainted  with  some  bad  boys, 
he  was  induced  by  them  to  become  a  partner  in  their  depredations. 
Happily  for  him  he  was  soon  stopped  in  his  career ;  for  being  ap- 
prehended for  a  theft,  he  was,  after  a  short  confinement,  received 
into  this  asylum.  Here  he  remained  six  months,  and  is  now  in  the 
Permanent  Establishment.  He  is  learning  the  trade  of  a  shoema- 
ker, in  which  he  makes  considerable  progress,  and  conducts  him- 
self with  great  propriety. 

22.  — W.  J.  was  born  at  sea  ;  his  father  was  for  many  years  in 
the  naval  service.  At  the  age  of  14  years,  he  was  apprenticed  to  a 
trade.  He  fell  into  the  company  of  bad  characters,  and  joined  them 
in  committing  depredations.  His  case  was  made  known  to  the 
Committee  ;  he  was  received  into  the  Temporary  Refuge,  and  hav- 
ing remained  a  considerable  time  in  that  asylum,  was  apprenticed 
to  a  captain  of  a  merchantman.  His  conduct  on  board  has  been 
most  exemplary,  and  entirely  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employers. 


35 


He  lately  presented  himself  to  the  Committee,  and  returning  thanks 
for  the  kind  assistance  which  he  had  received,  said,  with  much 
emotion,  "  This  House  has  saved  me  from  ruin  !" 

23.  — T.  H.  16  yeais  of  age,  was  received  into  the  Temporary 
Refuge,  having  been  in  confinement  for  picking  pockets.  He 
was  discharged  by  the  Magistrates,  because  no  prosecutor  appear- 
ed against  him.  After  remaining  some  time,  he  was  admitted  into 
the  Refuge  for  the  Destitute,  and  has  since  been  apprenticed,  at  his 
own  request,  onboard  of  a  ship  in  the  merchant  service. 

24.  — W.  J.  aged  16  years  ;  at  12  years  old  he  went  to  the  ser- 
vice of  a  pawn-broker,  and  was  with  him  eight  months;  was  after- 
wards 20  months  as  a  pot  boy,  and  three  months  in  the  employ  of 
a  harness-maker  ;  got  acquainted  with  some  young  thieves,  who 
persuaded  him  to  join  them,  and  he  commenced  picking  pockets  in 
September,  1819:  has  been  three  times  in  confinement;  once  in 
Tothill  fields,  once 'in  Clerkenwell,  and  for  the  last  offence,  robbing 
a  child's  neck  of  coral  beads,  at  Sadler's  wells,  was  confined  seven 
weeks  in  Newgate,  tried  at  the  Old  Bailey,  and  sentenced  to  three 
months  imprisonment  in  the  House  of  Correction.  Having  been 
admitted  into  the  Temporary  Refuge,  he  has  been  since  transferred 
to  the  Permanent  Establishment,  where  he  is  learning  the  tailoring 
business,  and  is  going  on  very  well. 

25.  — W.  A.  aged  13  years  :  his  father  is  dead,  mother  a  poor  wo- 
man supports  herself  by  charing  and  washing.  This  boy  has  been 
two  years  in  the  practice  of  thieving,  but  has  been  imprisoned 
but  once,  for  picking  a  gentleman's  pocket,  and  was  discharged  in 
consequence  of  the  prosecutor  not  appearing  againstliim.  He  has 
been  transferred  to  the  Permanent  Establishment,  in  which  he  has 
conducted  himself  with  great  propriet}',  and  shows  much  gratitude 
for  the  assistance  afforded  him. 

26.  — D.  W.  aged  13  years  :  his  father  is  dead,  mother  is  a  book- 
folder.  This  boy  robbed  his  master  of  eight  books,  which  he  sold 
for  3s6d.  Was  in  confinement  one  month  at  Newgate,  and  tried 
at  the  Old  Bailey.  He  has  been  placed  in  the  Permanent  Estab- 
lishment, where  his  conduct  has  been  most  exemplary. 

27.  — C.  D.  aged  16  years.  This  lad  was  two  years  a  clerk  in  a 
respectable  counting-house,  but  having  stolen  some  property  be- 
longing to  his  master,  he  lost  his  situation  ;  his  employers  declined 
to  prosecute.  He  was  received  into  the  Temporary  Refuge,  where 
having  conducted  himself  with  great  propriety,  his  former  master 
has  again  taken  him  into  his  employ. 

28.  — C.  B.  16  years  of  age:  his  parents  are  both  dead.  He 
worked  several  years  at  a  cotton  factory  in  Cheshire.  Having 
found  his  way  (about  three  years  since)  to  London,  has  been  em- 
ployed in  the  brick  fields,  in  summer,  and  in  the  winter,  in  several 
dust  yards.  Being  in  company  with  three  boys,  he  was  apprehen- 
ded with  them  for  robbing  a  till  in  a  shop,  and  was  committed  to 
the  New  Prison,  Clerkenwell,  where  he  was  confined  a  week.  His 
conduct,  during  his  residence  in  the  Refuge  was  most  exemplary, 
and  he  has  been  apprenticed  for  7  years  to  a  respectable  house  at 
Honduras. 


36 


FEMALES. 

E.  S.  was  deprived  of  her  father  at  an  early  age,  and  was  brought 
up  by  her  mother,  a  poor  charwoman.  At  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  she  obtained  a  situation  as  servant  in  a  decent  family,  from 
whose  house  she  soon  absconded,  through  the  persuasion  of  some 
wicked  girls  in  the  neighborhood,  taking  away  with  her  apparel  to 
a  considerable  amount.  She  was  immediately  apprehended,  taken 
before  the  magistrates,  and  committed  for  a  second  hearing.  The 
prosecutor  having  declined  to  appear  against  her,  she  was  dischar- 
ged.— She  was  immediately  placed  in  the  Temporary  Refuge,  and 
has  since  been  received  into  the  Refuge  for  the  Destitute,  where  her 
conduct  induces  the  hope  that  she  will  ultimately  be  restored  to  so- 
ciety, as  a  reformed  character. 

E.  W.  19  years  of  age,  was  convicted  of  robbing  her  master's 
house,  and  was  sentenced  to  twelve  months  imprisonment  in  the 
House  of  Correction,  Cold  Bath  Fields.  On  her  discharge  from 
prison,  she  was  placed  in  the  Temporary  Refuge  by  this  society, 
and  has  been  since  restored  to  her  relatives,  and  continues  to  con- 
duct herself  with  propriety. 

M.  R.  26  years  of  age,  was  convicted  of  picking  pockets,  and  was 
sentenced  to  seven  years  transportation.  This  sentence  was,  sub- 
sequently, on  account  of  some  favorable  circumstances  in  her  case, 
commuted  for  two  years  imprisonment  in  the  House  of  Correction, 
Cold  Bath  Fields.  Upon  the  expiration  of  her  sentence,  she  was 
sent  to  the  Temporary  Refuge  by  this  Society,  under  whose  care 
she  still  remains.  Her  friends  have  since  been  reconciled  to  her, 
and  are  now  endeavoring  to  procure  for  her  a  reputable  situation. 

Officers  of  the  House  of  Refuge* 

CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President. 
STEPHEN  ALLEN, 
PETER  A.  JAY, 
JOHN  T.  IRVING, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 
HENRY  I.  WYCKOFF, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
RALPH  OLMSTED,  Treasurer. 
ROBERT  F.  MOTT,  Secretary. 
JOSEPH  CURTIS,  Superintendent. 


Vice  Presidents. 


Stephen  Allen, 
Arthur  Burtis, 
C.  D.  Colden, 
Isaac  Collins, 
Samuel  Cowdrey, 
Gilbert  Coutant, 
John  Duer, 
Cornelius  Dubois, 
Cornelius  R.  Duffie, 


Managers, 

Thomas  Eddy, 
John  Griscom, 
James  W.  Gerard, 
Joseph  Grinnell, 
John  E.  Hyde, 
Ansel  W.  Ives, 
John  T.  Irving, 
Peter  A.  Jay, 
James  Lovett, 


Robert  F.  Mott, 
Hugh  Maxwell, 
Henry  Mead, 
Ralph  Olmsted, 
John  Stearns, 
John  Targee, 
J.  M.  Wainwright, 
Henry  I.  Wyckoff. 


FIRST  ANNUAL  REPORT,  &c. 
1825. 

With  a  heart-felt  interest  in  the  cause  which  has 
been  committed  to  their  charge,  the  Managers  of  the 
Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents 
meet  their  constituents  and  the  public,  in  the  needful 
formality  of  a  first  annual  Report.  At  no  period  since 
their  appointment  (on  the  19th  of  December,  1823,) 
has  the  question  of  the  establishment  of  a  House  of 
Refuge,  on  the  plan  indicated  in  the  Report  of  the 
Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Pauperism,  (which  led 
to  the  formation  of  the  Society  they  now  represent) 
been  for  one  moment  regarded  as  an  object  unworthy 
of  their  anxious  solicitude,  and  their  earnest  and  un- 
remitted efforts.  If  any  thing  could  have  been  neces- 
sary to  stimulate  them  to  diligence  and  perseverance 
in  the  accomplishment  of  the  desired  object,  the  gene- 
rous sympathies  which  were  promptly  manifested  on  the 
distribution  of  that  report,  and  the  benevolence  which 
flowed  spontaneously  from  their  fellow  citizens  into 
the  channel  first  opened  to  receive  it,  were  abundantly 
sufficient  to  excite  the  Board  of  Managers  to  a  zealous 
discharge  of  the  trust  reposed  in  them.  It  was  obvious 
that  throughout  our  whole  community,  the  evils  which 
were  accumulating  upon  destitute  children  and  young 
people,  were  regarded  as  truly  deplorable.  The  expo- 
sure to  which  they  are  subjected,  in  the  streetsand  lurk- 
ing places  of  the  vicious,and  more  especially  in  the  pri- 
sons to  which  they  are  sentenced  as  a  punishment, 
when  once  made  known,  called  forth,  from  every  hu- 
mane bosom,  a  burst  of  feeling  in  favour  of  some  more 
efficient  protection  from  the  pit  of  destruction  which 
yawned  beneath  their  feet.  To  sentence  individuals 
of  a  tender  age  and  of  either  sex,  for  crimes  into 
which  they  may  have  been  drawn,  by  the  almost  irre- 
sistible impulse  of  circumstances  to  them  unavoidable, 
to  a  penalty  which  tends  immediately  to  prepare  them 
for  deeper  guilt,  was  perceived  to  be  not  only  a  sole- 


38 


cism  inlegnl  justice,  but  a  departure  from  every  prin- 
ciple of  enlarged  humanity  and  sound  discretion. 
The  protection  of  society  from  the  depredations  of  the 
vicious,  is  the  main  object  of  penal  legislation.  Not 
only  to  correct  the  criminal  in  his  unprincipled  course, 
but  as  far  as  possible  to  eradicate  the  habit  and  the 
desire  of  vicious  indulgence,  is  the  concurrent  aim  of 
all  well  devised  schemes  of  penal  jurisprudence. 
Reformation  is,  or  ought  to  be  an  object  dear  to  every 
man,  who  votes  for  a  penal  statute.  In  the  case  of  the 
young  it  is  almost  every  thing;  for  who  can  deny  that 
juvenile  offences  proceed  almost  entirely  from  the 
influence  of  bad  example.  To  neglect  the  reformation 
of  this  class  of  delinquents, — to  punish  those  who  are 
young  in  years  and  in  crime,  by  dungeons,  compul- 
sory indolence,  and  wretched  fare,  without  any  attempt 
to  break  in  upon  the  darkness  of  their  understandings 
by  the  radiance  of  knowledge  and  religion, — and  this 
with  a  view  of  affording  protection  to  society, — of  ren- 
dering property  secure  and  public  morals  uncontamr- 
nated,  is  surely  to  neglect  the  plainest  maxims  of 
prudence  and  common  sense.  Such,  nevertheless, 
has  been  the  course  pursued  in  our  own  andinother 
countries,  in  relation  to  one  of  the  most  important 
considerations  embraced  in  the  whole  circle  of  crimi- 
nal lawr.  In  what  code  shall  we  find  a  just  discrimi- 
nation between  adult  and  juvenile  crimes,  and  an 
adequate  provision  for  withdrawing  young  offenders 
from  the  vortex  of  corrupt  association, for  enlightening 
their  minds,  changing  their  habits  and  inclinations, 
and  restoring  them  to  society,  prepared  to  increase 
the  amount  .of  industry,  morals,  and  virtue.  That  a 
far  more  ample  provision  of  this  nature  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  complete  the  reformatory  system  of 
prison  discipline,  so  happily  commenced  in  this  coun- 
try, few  persons  we  think  will  entertain  a  doubt; — 
that  such  is  the  tenor  of  public  opinion  in  this  city, 
is  most  obvious  from  the  evidence  which  has  been 
afforded  us,  by  the  cheerfulness  with  which  contribu- 
tions were  made,  for  the  commencement  of  an  insti- 
tution, which  we  trust  will  be  not  less  permanent, 
than  beneficent  in  its  operation  and  example. 

The  first  concern  of  the  Managers,  after  being  duly 


?9 


organized,  was  to  ascerain  to  what  extent  they  might 
rely  upon  the  bounty  of  the  city,  for  the  means  requi- 
site to  carry  into  effect  the  proposed  asylum  for  va- 
grant and  depraved  young  people.  For  this  purpose 
the  city  was  divided  into  districts,  and  with  such  as- 
sistance as  we  found  it  not  difficult  to  obtain,  a  per- 
sonal application  was  made  to  those  of  our  citizens, 
who,  it  was  believed,  would  be  likely  to  respond  to 
the  views  and  objects  of  the  Society.  The  result  was 
an  amount  of  subscriptions  and  donations,  of  about 
15,000  dollars,  and  a  universal  expression  in  favour  of 
the  contemplated  institution.  Thus  encouraged,  the 
Board  proceeded  to  solicit  of  the  corporation,  the  ap- 
propriation of  some  suitable  site,  for  the  erection  of  a 
House  of  Refuge,  and  in  conference  with  the  commit- 
tee of  that  honourable  body,  the  ground  and  buildings 
held  by  the  general  government  as  an  Arsenal,  near 
the  head  of  Broadway  and  the  Bowery,  was  stated  to 
be  the  most  eligible  of  any  in  the  city,  especially  as  it 
was  reported  that  the  United  States  had  no  occasion 
to  continue  much  longer  in  the  occupation  of  it  at 
least  as  a  depot  of  arms  and  ammunition.  The  man- 
ner in  which  this  application  to  the  city  authority  was 
received,  was  manifest  by  the  report  of  its  committer, 
a  copy  of  which  is  hereunto  subjoined. 

The  officers  of  the  War  Department,  including  the 
present  Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  to  whom 
application  was  made  in  favour  of  a  relinquishment 
of  the  said  ground  and  buildings,  for  the  purposes  cf 
this  Society,  received  the  proposition  with  cordiality, 
acknowledged  their  conviction  of  the  utility  and  im- 
portance of  the  proposed  institution,  and  agreed  to 
convey  the  government  title  to  the  premises  and  build- 
ings for  as  small  a  sum  as  wras  consistent  with  the  na- 
ture of  their  public  duties.  An  arrangement  being 
thus  amicably  concluded  w7ith  both  the  authorities 
concerned,  the  Board  of  Managers  was  put  in  posses- 
sion, upon  terms  which  must  be  regarded  as  extreme- 
ly favourable,  of  ground  and  buildings  better  adapted 
to  their  wants  than  any  other  within  their  knowledge. 

From  the  erratic  and  vicious  habits  of  the  boys  w  ho 
would  necessarily  be  sentenced  to  a  House  of  Refuge, 
it  was  easily  foreseen  that  a  high  wall  around  the 


49 


premises  would  be  indispensable.  The  arsenal  not 
only  afforded  this  important  advantage,  but  it  con- 
tained a  suitable  dwelling  for  a  superintendent  and 
his  family,  and  a  building  which  has  furnished  tempo- 
rary accommodations  for  a  limited  number  of  sub- 
jects. The  outer  wall  includes  a  space  of  320  feet  by 
300,  which  is  quite  sufficient  for  any  extension  of  the 
institution,  which  will  be  required  at  any  future 
time.* 

The  unavoidable  delay  attendant  on  the  removal 
of  the  government  stores,  and  the  making  of  such  al- 
terations as  were  requisite  to  adapt  the  building  to 
the  purposes  intended,  together  with  those  prelimina- 
ry steps  relative  to  the  collection  of  subscriptions,  the 
procuring  of  a  charter,  &c.  which  were  not  to  be  omit- 
ted, the  Board  was  not  prepared  to  open  the  institu- 
tion until  the  commencement  of  the  present  year. 

On  the  first  day  of  January  last,  the  board  met 
and  opened  the  Institution,  in  presence  of  a  considera- 
ble concourse  of  citizens,  (among  whom  were  seve- 
ral members  of  the  Corporation)  who  assembled  to 
witness  the  ceremony  of  the  introduction  of  a  number 
of  juvenile  convicts,  the  first  in  this  city,  if  not  in  this 
country,  into  a  place  exclusively  intended  for  their 
reformation  and  instruction.  The  ceremony  was 
interesting  in  the  highest  degree.  Nine  of  those 
poor  outcasts  from  society,  3  boys  and  6  girls,  clothed 
in  rags,  with  squalid  countenances,  were  brought  in 
from  the  Police  Office,  and  placed  before  the  audi- 
ence. An  address  appropriate  to  so  novel  an  occa- 
sion was  made  by  a  member  of  the  board,  and  not  an 
individual,  it  may  safely  be  affirmed,  was  present, 
whose  warmest  feelings  did  not  vibrate  in  unison  with 
the  philanthropic  views  which  led  to  the  foundation 
of  this  House  of  Refuge.  Thus  commenced,  our  insti- 
tution assumed  a  standing  among  the  charities  of  our 
city  and  state,  and  the  managers  confidently  believe, 
will  prove  inferior  to  none  in  the  satisfaction  which 
its  operation  will  afford  to  a  benevolent  public,  and 

*An  application  to  the  Legislature,  for  an  act  of  incorporation  met  with  no  obsta- 
cle. The  act  received  its  final  sanction  on  the  29th  day  of  March,  1824,  and  a 
grant  of  $2000  per  annum,  for  five  years,  to  aid  in  the  support  of  the  Institution, 
was  made  the  last  session  of  the  Legislature. 


41 


in  its  moralizing  influence  upon  the  most  degraded 
portions  of  our  community.  The  number  of  its  delin- 
quent inmates  continued  to  increase  until  it  amounted 
to  58 — beyond  which  the  present  limited  accommo- 
dations for  the  males,  at  least,  admit  of  no  extension. 
Of  this  number,  44  were  boys  and  14  girls.  Of  the 
former,  the  oldest,  at  the  time  of  his  admission,  was 
18,  and  the  youngest  9. — The  whole  number  admit- 
ted into  the  house,  from  its  commencement  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  is  73.  They  have  been  received  from  the 
following  sources,  viz  : — 

From  the  Court  of  Sessions,  for  grand  larceny  l 

 ,  for  petit  larceny  9 

From  the  Police  Magistrates,  for  stealing  and  vagrancy  -  47 
From  the  Commissioners  of  the  Aims-House,  for 

stealing,  vagrancy,  and  absconding         -       -       -       -  16 

Total  73 

Of  this  number,      6  have  never  been  in  Bridewell, 

 ,    49  have  been  in  that  prison  from  1  to  7  times, 

 ,    19  have  been  confined  in  the  City  Penitentiary. 

Total  73 

Of  those  who  have  been  confined  in  the  Penitentiary, 


9  have 

served 

1 

term  of 

2  to  12  months 

3  do. 

do. 

2 

terms  amounting 

to  12  do. 

1  do. 

do. 

2 

do. 

do. 

24  do. 

1  do. 

do. 

2 

do. 

do. 

3  do. 

1  do. 

do. 

2 

do. 

do. 

9  do. 

1  do. 

do. 

3 

do. 

do. 

18  do. 

1  do. 

do. 

4 

do. 

do. 

33  do. 

2  do. 

do. 

5 

do. 

do. 

36  do. 

19 

Of  the  whole  number  received  in  the  house,  30  are  the  children 
of  foreigners,  and  43  are  from  the  city  and  various  parts  of  the  state. 


They  have  been  thus  disposed  of:  — 

BOYS. 

Returned  to  their  parents   2 

Indented         -   5 

Absconded                            ------  4 

At  present  in  the  house   43 


GIRLS.  54 

Sent  to  the  Alms-House   1 

Discharged,  being  of  age  *       -  1 

Indented   4 

In  the  house   13 


19 

6  Total  73 


42 


Of  the  5  boys  who  have  been  indented,  2  were 
placed  with  farmers,  and  the  other  three  were  bound, 
as  seamen,  to  a  person  in  whom  the  Managers  and 
Superintendent  place  entire  confidence.  From  one 
of  the  boys,  a  favourable  report  has  been  received,* 
the  others  having  been  recently  indented,  no  account 
from  them  has  been  obtained. 

From  two  of  the  girls,  the  Superintendent  has  re- 
ceived acceptable  information.*  The  others  have 
but  lately  left  the  house. 

The  subjects,  on  their  admission,  have  proved,  with 
a  few  exceptions,  to  be  very  ignorant.    Some  of  them 

*  The  following  letters  from  the  respectable  persons  to  whom  these  children 
were  indented,  afford  encouraging  hopes  of  their  continued  good  conduct. 

P  e,  June  21st,  1825. 

Dear  Sir, 

Believing  that  the  Managers  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  as  well  as  the  patrons 
generally  of  that  Institution,  feel  a  lively  interest  in  the  welfare  of  those  intrusted 
to  your  care,  and  sufficient  time  having  elapsed  since  I  recieved  J.  and  J.  to  be- 
come acquainted  with  their  dispositions,  I  write  to  acquaint  you  with  their  deport- 
ment. Joseph  for  about  ten  days,  behaved  extremely  well — always  attentive;  but 
after  church  he  came  to  me  and  asked  permission  to  take  a  walk;  as  he  had  been 
more  than  a  mile  to  church,  I  did  not  consider  it  necessary;  and  being  extremely 
cautious  that  he  should  not  become  acquainted  with  the  town  boys,  I  refused  him 
permission  to  go,  and  he  gave  out  some  threats  to  one  of  the  servants,  and  refused 
to  eat  his  supper.  The  next  morning  I  called  him  to  me  and  conversed 
with  him  for  a  considerable  time,  telling  him  that  he  must  look  to  me  for  protec- 
tion, which  he  would  be  sure  to  find  whilst  he  conducted  himself  with  propriety ; 
and  that  he  would  be  equally  sure  of  punishment  when  his  conduct  was  bad;  and 
as  he  had  been  angry  enough  to  go  without  his  supper,  he  must  take  the  field  with- 
out his  breakfast,  and  at  noon  I  would  inform  him  whether  he  could  have  his  din- 
ner. At  12  he  came  in  with  my  man,  evidently  humbled  and  weak  for  want  of 
food.  I  asked  him  if  he  was  sorry  for  his  conduct,he  said  he  was;  and  after  a  prom- 
ise of  better  behaviour,  for  the  future,  I  gave  him  his  dinner.  Since  that  I  have  not 
had  cause  of  complaint.  Jane  has  shown  nothing  of  that  temper  which  I  have 
discovered  in  Joseph,  and  I  am  pleased  to  say,  her  conduct  has  been  unexception- 
able up  to  the  present  time.  Wishing  that  all  those  that  are  bound  out  from  that 
Institution  may  conduct  themselves  as  well  as  these  two  have  so  far  done, 
I  remain  respectfully,  Your  Friend, 

J.  W. 

Extract  from  a  Letter  from  the  same  dated  18th  October. 
Since  my  last,  under  the  date  of  21st  June,  J.  continues  to  conduct  himself  as 
well  as  boys  generally  who  have  been  creditably  educated.  He  is  attentive  to 
church  and  to  school,  and  appears  anxious  to  improve.  As  respects  J.  her  con- 
duct has  been  uniformly  good,  and  I  am  informed  by  her  teachers  she  is  the  best 
scholar  in  her  class. 

D  i,  August  30,1825. 

Dear  Sir, 

You  may  recollect  that  when  I  took  Diana  from  the  House  of  Refuge,  I  en- 
gaged to  give  you  information  respecting  her  behaviour  in  my  family ;  and  it  is 
with  no  little  satisfaction  that  I  can  with  truth  state  to  you  that  her  conduct  has 
been  good.  She  has  given  less  cause  of  complaint  since  being  here,  than  we 
should  have  reason  to  expect,from  a  girl  of  her  age  taken  from  one  of  our  well  reg- 
ulated families  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  lessons  taught  her  while  under 
your  care  appear  to  have  made  a  proper,  and  I  think  lasting  impression  on  her 
mind.  She  evinces  a  disposition  to  learn  what  is  good,  and  such  kinds  of  work  as 
is  proper  to  employ  her  in,  she  performs  with  ingenuity  and  neatness.    She  is  not 


43 


by  an  irregular  attendance  at  schools,  had  learned  to 
read,  but  had  acquired  no  relish  for  intellectual  im- 
provement. Their  habits,  as  it  respects  skill  and 
useful  industry,  were  still  more  deplorable.  With 
one  exception,  there  has  not  been  a  girl  received, 
who  could  sew  even  well  enough  to  make  an  apron. 
Of  washing,  ironing,  cooking,  or  baking,  they  knew 
but  very  little,  and  indeed,  were  unable  to  do  any 
thing  without  instruction.  But  such  has  been  the 
progress  of  the  females  in  these  important  attain- 
ments, the  Superintendent  has  been  enabled  to  have 
every  garment,  which  his  subjects  have  required, 
made  without  charge  to  the  Institution.  The  employ- 
ment of  the  girls,  in  addition  to  the  needful  domestic 
occupations,  has  been  chiefly  the  plaiting  of  grass ; 
and  although  they  have  not  yet  advanced  sufficiently 
to  render  their  skill  of  much  pecuniary  advantage, 
many  of  them  have  made  attainments,  in  this  branch, 
which  justify  the  belief,  that  it  may  become  a  source 
of  profit  to  the  Institution,  and  the  means  of  honest 
support  to  them  when  discharged. 

The  most  considerable  occupation  of  the  boys,  has 
been  the  clearing  up  of  the  premises,  by  the  removal 
and  disposal  of  the  lumber,  sheds,  &c,  clearing  and 
cultivating  a  small  garden,  and  more  especially  in 
waiting  upon,  and  assisting  the  masons  and  carpenters 
that  have  been  engaged  in  various  repairs,  elevating 
the  wall,  and  erecting  a  new  building  within  the  en- 
closure. In  this  exercise,  they  have  been  very  effi- 
cient; a  number  of  them  have  evinced  a  becoming 
spirit  of  ambition  and  desire  of  improvement,  and  can- 
not fail  to  have  laid  the  foundation  of  future  industry. 

able,  (and  perhaps  never  will  be)  to  perform  any  heavy  work,  yel  I  consider  it 
a  fortunate  acquisition  that  I  obtained  her  from  you,  and  if  the  want  of  order  and 
regularity  in  my  family  should  not  tend  to  weaken  or  do  away  the  habits  she  ac- 
quired while  under  your  care,  we  should  have  reason  to  be  thankful.  From  the 
cursory  view  I  had  of  your  establishment,  a  very  favourable  impression  was  made 
on  my  mind  respecting  the  beneficial  effects  it  might  produce  in  society.  Since 
that  time,  I  have  reflected  much  on  the  subject;  from  which,  and  the  facts  I  have 
learned  from  little  D.  I  have  been  led  to  consider  the  Institution  as  one  of  the 
most  wise,  humane,  and  (as  respects  your  city  in  particular)  the  most  beneficial  of 
any  I  am  acquainted  with,  and  cannot  but  hope  and  believe  that  it  may  receive 
from  both  the  corporation  and  the  legislature,  that  fostering  care  and  aid  which 
in  my  opinion  it  so  justly  merits  — and 

I  am,  Sir,  with  sentiments  of  respect  and  esteem, 
Your  Fiiend,  &c.  &c. 

e.  r. 


44 


The  principal  in-door  employment  has  been  shoe- 
making  and  tailoring.  In  these,  the  boys  have  made 
no  inconsiderable  advancement; — one  hundred  and 
twenty -nine  pair  of  shoes  having  been  made,  in  addi- 
tion to  forty-one  pair  used  in  the  family.  With  res- 
pect to  manual  employment,  it  therefore  appears  that 
although  nothing  has  yet  been  done,  as  a  source  of 
income  to  the  Institution,  the  work  accomplished  by 
both  sexes  has  produced  a  positive  saving,  and  afford- 
ed a  promise,  under  a  more  favourable  circumstances, 
of  a  useful  and  profitable  extension  of  manufacturing 
skill  and  activity. 

About  two  hours  in  the  day,  one  in  the  morning 
and  one  in  the  evening,  are  devoted  to  mental  improve- 
ment. During  the  first  hour,  they  are  occupied  in 
learning  to  spell,  read,  write,  and  cypher,  and  in  this 
exercise  the  system  of  mutual  instruction  is  followed, 
and  they  are  divided  into  classes  agreeably  to  the 
method  pursued  in  the  Lancasterian  schools. 

On  that  system  the 
1st  Class  learn  the  Alphabet. 
2d     "    words  and  syllables  of  two  letters. 
3d     44    words  and  syllables  of  three  and  four  letters. 
4th    "    words  and  sentences  from  Scripture  of  five  and  six  let- 
ters. 

5th    "    words  and  sentences  from  Scripture  of  two  syllables. 

6th    44    words  and  sentences  from  Scripture  of  three  syllables. 

7th    44    words  and  sentences  from  Scripture  of  four  syllables. 

8th  44  includes  the  best  readers,  who  spell  and  write  words, 
with  their  meanings  attached,  and  read  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments. Arithmetic,  as  far  as  Compound  Division,  is  divided  into 
nine  classes,  each  class  advancing  a  single  rule.  This  explanation 
will  enable  us  to  understand  the  following  statement  of  the  Super- 
intendent, relative  to  the  improvement  of  a  number  of  his  subjects. 


BOYS. 


Date  of  Entry. 

Class 

of 
Entry. 

Class 
advan- 
ced to. 

Date  of  Entry. 

Class 

of 
EDtry. 

Class 
advan- 
ced to. 

w.  c. 

Jan.  1 

1 

4 

J.  B. 

Feb.  16 

1 

5 

J.  B. 

44  1 

3 

8 

L.  S. 

March  5 

5 

8 

J.  R. 

1 

1 

4 

D.  S. 

44  5 

1 

5 

S.  C.  B. 

7 

5 

8 

T.  S. 

44  14 

I 

5 

J.  H.  T. 

13 

6 

8 

w.  s. 

44  19 

6 

8 

A.  T. 

12 

1 

4 

J.  L. 

44  23 

4 

6 

E.  M. 

15 

1 

8 

J.  G. 

April  7 

1 

5 

A.  M. 

21 

1 

5 

J.  B. 

5 

3 

5 

J.  P. 

44  27 

1 

6 

T.  S. 

7 

5 

6 

E.  E. 

27 

1 

6 

C.  J. 

44  20 

1 

4 

45 


GIRLS. 


Date  of  Entry. 

Class 
of 
Entry. 

Class  | 
advan- 
ced to. 

M.  A.  Y. 

Jan. 

1 

5 

8 

C.  A.  A. 

u 

1 

1 

5 

M.  S. 

u 

1 

5 

8 

A.  M'C. 

a 

1 

1 

4 

M.  A.  C. 

a 

12 

5 

8 

M.  A.  P. 

n 

29 

5 

8 

J.  A.  B. 

it 

22 

5 

8 

The  advancement  in  learning,  exhibited  as  above, 
affords  a  very  satisfactory  promise  of  the  intellectual 
benefit  that  will  be  likely  to  ensue  from  the  present 
arrangements ;  and  the  Managers  are  further  encour- 
aged in  their  views  of  these  advantages,  by  knowing 
that  the  Superintendent  is  in  the  daily  practice  of  lec- 
turing to  the  boys  on  the  subject  adapted  to  their  intel- 
ligence, such  as  various  objects  of  natural  history, 
and  the  useful  arts,  availing  himself  of  the  opportuni- 
ty thus  afforded  of  enforcing  moral  and  religious 
truths,  and  inculcating  desires,  which  tend  to  elevate 
their  minds  above  the  low  and  degraded  habits  to 
which  they  had  been  accustomed,  and  to  implant  the 
ambition  of  entering  upon  an  honourable  and  useful 
course  of  life.  By  the  liberality  of  several  citizens,  a 
number  of  books  have  been  presented  to  the  Institu- 
tion, suitable  for  the  instruction  of  those  who  can  read; 
thus  laying  the  foundation  of  a  library  for  the  benefit 
of  the  House  of  Refuge  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  en- 
larged by  further  appropriate  donations,  from  benev- 
olent individuals.  To  excite  in  those  delinquent 
youth  a  fondness  for  spending  their  leisure  hours,  in 
profitable  reading,  will  be  to  gain  no  small  ascenden- 
cy over  their  idle  and  corrupt  propensities.  The  last 
of  the  two  hours  of  the  day  devoted  to  instruction,  is 
chiefly  employed,  by  the  Superintendent,  in  reading, 
lecturing,  explaining,  and  questioning. 

Agreeably  to  a  suggestion  held  out  in  the  original 
report,  the  board  of  managers  have  availed  them- 
selves of  the  auxiliary  superintendence  of  a  committee 
of  ladies,  whose  watchful  care  and  enlightened  coun- 
sel have  entitled  them  to  the  sincere  thanks  of  the 
board.  Their  benovolent  attentions  are  producing 
conspicuous  effects  in  relation  to  the  domestic  econo- 


16 


my  and  to  the  deportment  and  improvement  of  the 
female  delinquents.  In  their  weekly  visits,  a  portion 
of  their  time  is  employed  in  hearing  the  girls  recite 
portions  of  Scripture,  and  other  pieces,  which  they 
have  committed  to  memory;  an  exercise  in  which 
several  of  them  have  distinguished  themselves  by 
laudable  and  remarkable  exertions.  The  advanta- 
ges to  be  gained  by  the  continued  superintendence 
of  the  Ladies'  Committee,  as  the  institution  becomes 
enlarged,  and  the  employment  and  exercises  of  the 
girls  are  multiplied,  cannot  be  anticipated  without 
feelings  of  particular  satisfaction.  In  addition  to 
their  oversight  of  the  domestic  regulations,  and  of  the 
employment  of  the  girls,  their  conversations  with 
these  unfortunate  children,  their  admonitions,  their 
encouragement,  their  patient  efforts  to  gain  upon  their 
sensibilities,  to  enlighten  their  judgments,  and  to  im- 
plant, however  slowly  and  discourageingly,  the  pure 
principles  of  integrity  and  religious  obligation,  all 
strengthened  by  their  clear  and  pertinent  explana- 
tions of  Scripture  truths, — cannot  fail  to  come  power- 
fully in  aid  of  the  instructions  of  the  matron  in  effec- 
ting the  moral  improvement  of  her  charge. 

Upon  the  whole,  as  it  respects  the  important  and 
main  question  of  moral  reformation,  the  managers 
have  abundant  reason  to  congratulate  the  society  on 
the  evidences,  which  their  short  experience  has  af- 
forded, of  the  substantial  benefit  which  may  be  ex- 
pected to  flow  from  the  operation  of  this  institution. 
The  superintendent,  (whose  vigilant  and  judicious  at- 
tentions to  the  untried  duties  of  his  station  have  given 
much  satisfaction,)  speaks  in  the  most  decisive  terms 
of  encouragement,  with  respect  to  the  moral  improve- 
ment of  the  children  of  both  sexes.  Some  of  the  boys 
who  appeared  for  a  considerable  time  to  be  the  most 
obstinately  depraved,  began  at  length  to  yield  to  the 
application  of  the  moral  remedies  which  were  pa- 
tiently and  steadily  applied,  and  now  rank  among  the 
very  best  in  the  institution, — docile,  industrious,  and 
so  useful  by  their  example  and  correct  deportment, 
as  to  have  gained  upon  the  esteem  and  affections  of 
their  care-takers. 

The  same  observations  apply  to  several  of  the  girls. 


It  was  ascertained  by  an  investigation  of  the  circum- 
stances of  those  who  first  entered,  that  their  depraved 
condition  was,  in  several  instances,  to  be  attributed 
to  the  example  and  persuasives  of  a  young  female, 
who,  though  well  known  in  the  haunts  of  vice,  had 
never  rendered  herself  absolutely  amenable  to  the 
criminal  laws.  To  abstract  such  an  example"  as  this 
from  the  company  to  which  the  unguarded  youth  of 
the  city  were  daily  exposed,  was  considered  by  the 
superintendent  as  important  to  the  objects  which  the 
society  have  in  view,  and  the  officers  of  the  police 
wrere  requested  to  have  her  secured  and  placed  \n 
the  House  of  Refuge  as  soon  as  they  could  find  a  law- 
ful occasion  for  such  a  commitment.  It  was  not  very 
long  before  she  was  brought  in  ;  and  proved  by  her 
deportment  in  the  house,  that  she  had  abandoned  the 
principles  of  feminine  propriety.  Her  case  was  dif- 
ficult and  discouraging ;  but,  restrained  in  conversa- 
tion and  behavior,  by  the  salutary  rules  of  the  institu- 
tion, her  habits  became  changed,  and  she  appeared 
to  feel  sensible  of  the  superior  excellence  ot  virtue. 
In  the  course  of  a  few  months,  her  conduct  was  so  al- 
tered, and  evinced  so  many  proofs  of  thorough  amend- 
ment, that  she  was  considered  eligible  to  the  station 
of  a  domestic  in  a  respectable  family  in  Connecticut 
with  whom  she  has  been  indented. 

This,  with  other  cases  of  an  analogous  nature,  have 
sufficiently  demonstrated  that  among  the  neglected 
and  profligate  children  of  our  metropolis,  there  is  at 
least  a  large  proportion  who  need  only  the  reclaiming 
hand  of  such  an  institution  to  secure  their  abstraction 
from  the  delusions  and  horrors  of  vice,  and  establish 
in  their  minds  a  decided  preference  for  a  life  of  honest 
industry.  The  managers  are  thus  encouraged  to  be- 
lieve even  from  the  short  period  of  their  operations, 
that  the  influence  of  the  society,  and  its  institution, 
will  produce  a  decided  effect  upon  the  moral  habits 
of  the  children  of  poverty  and  neglected  education, 
in  this  rapidly  increasing  city ; — that  it  will  contribute 
to  render  its  streets  more  decent,  and  its  magistrates, 
judges,  and  jurors,  less  occupied  with  painful  and 
perplexing  cases  of  juvenile  criminality.  Its  effects 
in  this  important  relation,  are  believed  to  be  already 


43 


conspicuous.  On  inquiring  of  the  District  Attorney, 
whose  station  enables  him  to  judge  correctly  of  these 
effects,  he  expresses  himself  thus: — "lam  happy  to 
state,  that  the  House  of  Refuge  has  had  a  most  be- 
nign influence  in  diminishing  the  number  of  juvenile 
delinquents.  The  most  depraved  boys  have  been 
withdrawn  from  the  haunts  of  vice,  and  the  examples 
which  they  gave,  in  a  great  degree  destroyed. 

"  I  find  no  difficulty  now  in  checking  the  young  of- 
fenders. Before  the  establishment  of  the  House  of 
Refuge,  a  lad  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age  might 
have  been  arrested  and  tried  four  or  five  times  for  pet- 
ty thefts,  and  it  was  hardly  ever  that  a  jury  would 
convict.  They  would  rather  that  the  culprit  ac- 
knowledged to  be  guilty  should  be  discharged  alto- 
gether, than  be  confined  in  the  prisons  of  the  state  or 
county. 

"  This  disposition  so  frequently  exercised  by  mag- 
istrates and  jurors,  rendered  the  lad  more  bold  in 
guilt;  and  I  have  known  instances  of  lads  now  in  the 
House  of  Refuge,  being  indicted  half  a  dozen  times, 
and  as  often  discharged  to  renew  their  crimes,  and 
with  the  conviction  that  they  might  steal  with  impunity. 

"The  consideration,  however,  that  there  is  a  char- 
ity which  provides  for  objects  of  this  character,  has 
removed  all  objections  to  convictions  in  cases  of  guilt. 

"  Formerly,  too  many  citizens  were  reluctant  in 
bringing  to  the  police-office,  young  persons  who  were 
detected  in  the  commission  of  crimes.  This  operated 
as  an  encouragement  to  depraved  parents  to  send 
very  young  children  to  depredate  on  the  community, 
— if  detected  they  knew  no  punishment  would  follow. 
This  is  one  cause  of  the  small  number  of  juvenile  of- 
fenders during  the  last  year.  I  might  enlarge  on  the 
benefits  of  this  noble  chanty,  were  it  necessary.  Of 
this  I  am  certain,  that  no  institution  has  ever  been 
formed  in  this  country  by  benevolent  men,  more  use- 
ful and  beneficent. 

"I  am  very  truly  your  obedient  servant  and  friend, 

"Hugh  Maxwell." 

Oct.  21,  1825. 

Of  the  nature  and  tendency  of  such  an  institution, 
nothing  further  it  is  presumed,  need  at  present  be 


49 


urged.  While  them  anagers  console  themselves  with 
the  persuasion,  that  it  has  thus  far  equalled,  in  effect, 
all  that  could  reasonably  have  been  anticipated,  thej 
need  not  dissemble  the  fact,  that  a  few  of  the  subjects 
appear  to  evince  but  little  fruits  of  the  efforts  made  to 
reform  and  meliorate  their  character.  Of  the  whole 
number  in  the  house,  the  superintendent  reports  that 
eleven  are  still  restless  and  refractory.  Considering 
their  previous  habits  this  is  no  cause  of  surprise.  As 
the  Refuge  was  considered  by  them  all  as  a  place  of 
durance,  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  they  would 
enjoy  the  greater  liberty  of  this  new  prison  without 
the  most  ingenious  efforts  to  escape  its  bounds.  The 
alteration  of  the  walls,  the  erection  of  the  new  build- 
ing, and  the  liberty  of  the  yard,  necessarily  granted 
them  during  the  day,  greatly  facilitated  the  means  of 
escape.  A  number  of  them  from  time  to  time  contin- 
ued to  elude  the  vigilance  of  their  guards.  With  the 
exception  however  of  the  four  cases  already  men- 
tioned, those  who  absconded  were  brought  back,  and 
in  some  instances  within  a  few  hours.  Of  those  four, 
one  is  in  the  state-prison  for  stealing,  one  is  in  the 
Philadelphia  county-prison,  one  in  the  city-peniten- 
tiary, and  from  the  other  no  account  has  been  received. 

This  restlessness  and  desire  to  escape,  has  been  the 
greatest  source  of  anxiety  and  difficulty  which  the 
superintendent  has  had  to  encounter.  It  has  rendered 
a  constant  guard  necessary;  but  since  the  first  of  May, 
there  has  been  a  sufficient  number  of  trust-worthy 
boys  in  the  house,  who  were  able  and  willing  to  act 
as  guards  over  the  others  ;  and  at  present,  there  is 
much  less  desire  among  them  to  run  away^  than  at  any 
previous  time.  In  two  instances,  boys  who  ab- 
sconded, returned  voluntarily  to  the  house,  from  la 
conviction  that  it  was  better  for  them  there  to  remain, 
than  to  expose  themselves  again  to  their  old  associ- 
ates. 

With  respect  to  the  means  by  which  this  Institution 
is  to  be  supported,  and  to  take  a  permanent  stand 
among  the  concerns  of  beneficence  which  every  chris- 
tian nation  finds  it  necessary  to  cherish,  the  Managers 
wish  that  they  could  give  to  the  Society  definite  and 
conclusive  information.    The  benevolence  of  the  city 


50 


has  indeed  given  to  it  an  excellent  "  local  habitation ;" 
and  in  the  confidence  of  acknowledged  utility,  and  as 
essential  to  the  success  of  the  experiment,  the  board 
felt  itself  bound  to  lay  such  a  foundation  for  the  recep- 
tion of  juvenile  delinquents  as  could  alone  satisfy  their 
own  views  and  those  of  their  most  intelligent  fellow- 
citizens,  of  the  importance  of  such  an  establishment. 
The  building  which  they  found  on  the  premises, 
although  it  has  answered  a  good  temporary  purpose, 
is  totally  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  such  a  school  of 
industry  and  reformation  as  the  society  has  contem- 
plated, and  the  occasion  demands.  iVccordingly,  after 
repairing  and  elevating  the  wall  around  the  premises, 
the  managers  contracted  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
building,  designed  exclusively  for  boys.  This  build- 
ing is  in  a  state  of  forwardness,  and  will  probably  be 
completed  by  the  first  of  December.  It  is  a  stone  edi- 
fice, 150  feet  long,  by  38  feet  wide,  and  two  stories 
high.  The  lower  story  is  to  be  arranged  for  work- 
shops and  kitchen,  and  the  upper  for  school-rooms, 
hospital,  and  dormitories,  and  calculated  for  the  sep- 
arate lodgment  of  132  male  subjects.  This  building 
will  cost,  w  hen  completed,  independently  of  school- 
room and  other  fixtures,  $  10,000.  The  expense  of 
raising  the  wall,  and  making  needful  repairs  and  alte- 
rations, has  been  upwards  of  $3,000.  Two  thousand 
have  been  paid  to  the  United  States,  and  $4,000  more 
remain  to  be  paid,  being  the  valuation  of  the  build- 
ings and  materials  relinquished  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment. As  soon  as  the  new  building  is  in  readiness 
for  the  male  subjects,  it  is  intended  to  appropriate  the 
one  now  occupied,  to  the  use  of  the  females.  But  it 
will  be  easily  foreseen  by  the  society,  that  after  assign- 
ing suitable  accommodations  to  the  matron,  this  build- 
ing which  at  best  is  not  well  constructed  for  the  pre- 
sent object,  is  quite  too  small  to  admit  of  that  exten- 
sion of  the  female  department  of  the  institution  which 
is  so  desirable.  A  building,  corresponding  with  that 
now  in  progress  for  the  males,  is  therefore  a  great  de- 
sideratum in  the  completion  of  the  plan,  and  the  board 
cannot  but  indulge  the  earnest  hope,  that  the  enlight- 
ened bounty  of  the  city  and  state  will  speedily  author- 
ize its  erection.    It  will  be  perceived  by  a  statement 


5] 


of  accounts,  that  the  funds  of  which  the  Board  has 
been  put  in  possession,  are  all  pledged  in  the  erection 
of  the  building  on  hand,  and  will  scarcely  be  adequate 
to  its  completion.  The  House  of  Refuge  has  been 
brought  into  existence  by  the  animating  sympathies 
of  our  city  for  the  destitute  objects  whom  it  embraces. 
But  how  it  is  to  be  supported, — by  what  unquestion- 
able means  its  continuance  and  its  prosperity  are  to 
be  secured,  are  considerations  which  call  for  the  de- 
liberate attention  of  the  Society,  and  which  cannot  but 
excite  a  feeling  in  the  breast  of  every  enlightened 
member  of  our  community,  who  has  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  nature  and  tendency  of  this  institution. 
That  the  free-will  offers  of  benevolent  citizens  will, 
when  called  for,  still  flow  to  its  support,  cannot  be 
doubted  from  the  manifestations  already  obtained  of 
heart-felt  interest  in  our  cause.  The  same  liberal 
hands  that  have  given  us  a  place  and  a  name,  are  able 
to  insure  our  continuance,  and  even  to  enlarge  the 
sphere  of  our  useful  activity.  But  the  question  will 
naturally  arise, — Ought  such  an  institution  as  this  to 
rest  for  its  support  on  the  voluntary  contributions  of  a 
city,  whatever  may  be  the  extent  of  the  benevolence 
which  it  is  calculated  to  excite  ?  Is  it  of  that  local  and 
incidental  character  which  places  it  in  the  class  of 
those  objects  which  are  fitted  merely  to  awaken  the 
impulse  of  spontaneous  charity  ?  We  would  venture 
to  call  upon  the  members  of  our  Corporation  and  of 
our  state  Legislature,  to  view  the  facts  in  relation  to 
this  question.  Can  there  be  a  more  legitimate  and 
worthy  object  of  legislative  provision  than  the  educa- 
tion of  the  destitute?  And  of  all  classes  of  the  desti- 
tute, have  not  they  the  most  emphatic  claim  to  the 
charity  of  public  instruction,  who  have  the  misfortune 
to  be  drawn  into  the  vortex  of  crime,  by  the  force  of 
inevitable  suffering,  by  the  urgency  of  guilty  parents, 
by  the  excitement  of  wicked  associates  ?  Our  state  is 
beginning  to  stand  in  the  very  front  of  those  countries 
which  view  the  question  of  education  under  the  most 
truly  enlightened  aspect ; — which  conceive  it  to  be  a 
solemn  duty  to  provide  liberally  for  the  instruction  of 
all  its  children, — and  to  spare  the  hand  of  correction, 
and  the  brand  of  infamy,  from  those  whose  juvenile  de- 


52 


linquencies  spring  from  the  combined  influence  of  ig- 
norance and  wretchedness.  On  the  importance  of  a 
legal  provision  for  the  education  of  the  poor,  there  is 
hardly  at  present  a  divided  opinion.  But  how  are  the 
peculiar  objects  of  your  bounty  to  be  educated,  unless 
they  are  entirely  withdrawn  from  the  purlieus  of  wick- 
edness, and  their  habits  radically  changed,  by  the  im- 
possibility of  criminal  indulgence?  We  would  appeal 
to  the  good  sense  of  every  citizen  who  hears  or  reads 
our  statement.  And  above  all  we  would  appeal  to 
those  who  have  visited  our  House  of  Refuge,  imper- 
fect as  it  still  is,  and  have  witnessed  the  altered  coun- 
tenances, the  modest  demeanour,  the  cheerful  indus- 
try, and  the  promising  indications  which  its  inmates 
exhibit.  Ought  such  a  school  to  be  left  to  the  casual 
charities  of  the  kindhearted — annually  to  be  sought 
after, — with  difficulty  gathered — and  of  doubtful  effi- 
ciency? Can  it  be  questioned  that  the  redemption  of 
all  such  children  from  such  schools  of  crime  as  our 
Bridewell  and  County  Prison,  and  sending  them  forth, 
in  due  time  to  the  world,  honest,  intelligent,  and  indus- 
trious, will  be  to  strike  at  the  root  of  those  alarming 
evils  which  fill  our  State  Prisons,  and  greatly  aug- 
ment the  numbers  of  our  city  and  county  paupers? 
Will  not  then,  such  a  provision  as  ours  for  juvenile 
delinquents  prove  a  real  saving  to  the  state  ?  We  have 
the  satisfaction  to  know  that  this  question  is  affirma- 
tively answered  by  most,  if  not  "all  of  those  who  have 
viewed  the  subject  in  all  its  bearings.  Considered  ei- 
ther as  a  school,  a  prison,  or  a  work-house,  it  is  deem- 
ed to  have  as  just  a  claim  upon  the  protection  of  muni- 
cipal and  state  authority  as  any  establishment  of  a 
similar  denomination.  With  respect  to  the  educa- 
tional part  of  our  system,  we  trust  there  will  not  be 
the  least  hesitation  in  any  quarter.  The  state  has  al- 
ready embarked  in  the  glorious  purpose  of  educating 
its  children,  and  especially  its  poor.  The  only  point 
which  can  suggest  the  least  difficulty,  is  the  question 
of  a  public  maintenance  of  these  children, — of  supply- 
ing them  with  food,  clothing,  lodging,  and  all  the  ap- 
paratus of  a  perfect  domicil.  But  when  we  reflect 
that  these  pitiable  beings  must  be  somehow  main- 
tained, and  that  by  their  depredations,  and  the  expense 


53 


necessary  to  restrain  them,  they  are  the  occasion  of 
greater  actual  cost  to  society,  than  they  will  be  when 
made  to  contribute  by  their  own  labour,  under  the 
guidance  of  experience  and  system,  to  their  own  sup- 
port, the  saving  policy  of  such  a  provision  cannot,  we 
think,  admit  of  a  doubt.  It  will  be  proper  to  observe, 
that  from  the  best  estimates  that  can  be  drawn  from 
the  facts  at  present  before  the  Board,  it  appears  that 
the  daily  average  cost  of  each  subject,  for  clothing, 
food,  fuel,  light,  hospital  and  school  expenses,  is  1 3  and 
1-10  cents.  This  estimate  is  formed  from  the  average 
number  of  41  children,  from  the  first  of  January  to  the 
first  of  October,  embracing  the  first  nine  months  of 
the, first  experiment  of  such  an  establishment.  With 
a  greater  number  and  longer  experience,  the  amount 
would  in  all  probability  be  diminished.  It  includes 
also  no  other  allowance  for  the  work  of  the  children 
than  the  saving  of  expense  in  the  making  of  shoes  and 
other  garments.  But  when  the  Institution  is  well  or- 
ganized, it  is  the  belief  of  the  Managers,  that  the  pro- 
fits of  their  labor  will  cover  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  expense  of  their  maintenance.  A  little  time  and 
experience  will  enable  the  Managers  to  decide  upon 
the  most  eligible  occupation,  for  each  and  all  of  the 
inmates,  and,  it  is  presumed,  to  adapt  their  exercises 
to  the  difference  of  genius  and  capacity  which  may  be 
found  amongst  them.  We  are  encouraged  therefore, 
— nay  emboldened  and  animated  in  the  belief,  that 
upon  the  face  of  our  unvarnished  statement,  there  will 
not  be  found  an  individual  member  either  of  our  city 
or  state  Legislature,  who  will  say  that  an  institution 
erected  for  such  objects,  and  commenced  under  such 
auspices,  ought  to  be  left  to  struggle  with  the  embar- 
rassment of  an  uncertain  support,  but  rather  that  it 
ought  to  enjoy  that  ample  countenance,  which  the 
wealth  and  prosperity  of  our  state  enable  it  so  freely 
to  extend  to  institutions  exclusively  beneficent. 


54 


8 


i  i 

•2  -« 


a? 


SB 

•Si 

$ 


o  • 
a  £ 

o  o> 

•So 

a)  a 
— :  03 

2  © 


>  o 


11 

2  fl 


O  CO 

o  <o 

O  1> 
CM 


U2 


So 


-a  M  as 

a. 


Tf      CM  «5 
CO  C  ih  q  CO  cd 


Oi>C0©C0OJ>C3O00 
O       iO  (N  W      N  1-  lO  f 

CN  CO 


M  iS  ©  1" 
iC  TT  CO  ^ 


«5  CM  l>  O  00 

O*  --<     ^  op 


6  -2 

w  cS 

<yo;a 


0)  .    •  <6 


s  : 


«8  :«8  \ 


cd  .  o  • 


too : 


T3  S 


03 

«  2 


73  2 

'3** 


-a 


.•8'S 

a  .a  tf 


< 


a  • 
a 

43  43 


o  a3 

g  So  | 

S!a^.2 
co  > 

o|^£ 


a  txi><a  a  «j ,«  U 
s.-a   .  &S>  a  « 


—  a,  £  .£ 
„  a,  tn  ■§  _s  — < 

ce  £  o  43  r?  r° 

a. 4-  ^  a 
^  o  o  o 

—  ~ 


a  a  2  3^ 

^2     "Sow1  — 
a3  g  c2 03  o  > 

<»  8  §  J  W  if° 

.-a  °     03  o  w~  43  \a 
AT)  2  ^  2  «  i"  3 
o  cs-a  2  s.a 

h  h  h  h  h  »i  h» 
OOOOOOO 
u-  -iw  — ■  -•,  ^-  Ii< 


«  I  ' 

(d  O   ,  •  03 

is  2  0  « 

02  r3  a  P  co 

^  5<  S  a 

^  cO  3  o 

6>j3  ^  ^  O 


O  43 

■e  "fl  a  43 
-1  02  ©  o  2 
a.-a  § 
oT  a 'S  cs  "a  »o 

.  tjo  03  a  3  g 

43  \S   «-         ,  C3 

•3  a  ^ 

O   O   «   4)   43  O 

^   h   I.  b 

OOOOO 

Eh  b 


co  a  2 


55 


An  Estimate  of  the  Funds  that  will  be  required  to  support  the 
House  of  Refuge  to  1st  May,  1826. 

For  Food,  Clothing,  Shoes,  School,  and  Hospital  Ex- 
penses, for  60  Children    $1666  32 

For  additional  Furniture,  Beds  and  Bedding    -       -  248  65 

For  Fuel  and  Light,  Alterations  necessary  to  enlarge  the 

Girl's  Apartment,  &c.   460  49 

For  Salaries  of  Superintendent,  Assistant,  and  Matron     1124  99 


3501  45 

If  the  Society  should  receive  into  the  House  of  Re- 
fuge, as  many  children  as  the  two  buildings  can  accom- 
modate, (and  which  they  intend  to  do,  provided  sufficient 
funds  for  their  support  can  be  obtained,) 
viz:— Boys  130 
Girls  40 

Making  170 

It  would  cost  for  their  maintenance  in  addition  to  the 
above  sum,  viz : 

For  110  additional  Children,  Food,  Cloth- 
ing, &c.  $1729  20 

For  Beds,  Blankets,  Crockery,  &c.       -       -     521  92 


2251  12 


Total  $5752  57 


IN  COMMON  COUNCIL, 
March  1st,  1824. 

The  special  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Memorial  of 
the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Ju- 
venile Delinquents,  presented  the  following  Report  which  was 
adopted. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Memorial  of  the  Board 
of  Managers  of  the  Society  recently  formed  in  this  city,  for  the  Re- 
formation of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  report, 

That  they  have  taken  the  subject  into  consideration,  and  confer- 
red with  gentlemen  appointed  on  behalf  of  said  Board,  and  they 
feel  a  pleasure  in  expressing  their  approbation  of  the  laudable  ob- 
jects, which  they  have  in  view.  Perhaps  no  institution  is  more  de- 
sirable in  our  city,  than  one  which  affords  a  place  of  refuge  for 
neglected  and  depraved  children,  just  entering  upon  the  paths  of 
vice,  where  they  may  be  reclaimed  from  their  bad  habits,  their 
minds  instructed  in  the  rudiments  of  learning,  and  their  time  devo- 
ted to  some  useful  employment.  Also  a  refuge  for  those  juvenile 
convicts,  continually  discharged  from  the  Bridewell  and  Peniten- 
tiary, many  of  whom  have  neither  friends,  parents,  nor  employment 
to  return  to. 


56 


The  Committee  believe  that  such  an  institution,  properly  regula- 
ted and  conducted,  would  not  only  tend  to  improve  the  condition  of 
society,  by  lessening  the  commission  of  crime,  and  the  number  of 
convicts  sent  to  our  prisons,  but  would  have  a  tendency  to  diminish 
the.  expenses  of  the  city,  incurred  on  that  account.  Under  the  di- 
rection of  the  intelligent  and  judicious  individuals  who  now  super- 
intend its  concerns,  the  Committee  feel  satisfied- that  the  institution 
and  necessary  erection  of  buildings,  will  not  only  be  commenced 
upon  an  economical  footing,  but  conducted  in  a  manner  calculated 
to  produce  permanent  advantages. 

The  immediate  aid  which  the  Memorialists  solicit  from  the  Cor- 
poration, is  a  grant  of  land  or  a  piece  of  ground  for  the  purpose  of 
locating  their  establishment,  and  commencing  their  operations. 
To  this  subject  the  Committee  have  turned  their  attention,  and  are 
of  opinion  that  the  wishes  of  the  Memorialists  can  be  accommodated 
without  much  inconvenience  to  the  city. 

The  piece  of  ground  lying  at  the  junction  of  the  Bloomingdale 
and  old  post  roads,  on  which  the  United  States  Arsenal  is  situated, 
was  on  the  seventeenth  of  November,  eighteen  hundred  and  seven, 
granted  by  the  Corporation  to  the  General  Government,  upon  the 
express  condition  and  understanding,  that  the  same  should  be  used 
for  the  purpose  of  an  arsenal  and  deposite  of  military  stores;  and 
whenever  it  should  cease  to  be  used  for  such  purpose,  it  was  to  re- 
vert to  the  Corporation. 

This  piece  of  ground,  which,  together  with  the  triangular  plot  in 
front  containing  about  three  acres,  the  Memorialists  are  of  opinion, 
will  be  an  eligible  place  for  their  establishment,  and  they  have  sta- 
ted to  the  Committee,  that  if  the  Corporation  will  grant,  to  the  Mem- 
orialists, the  right  and  title  to  said  piece  of  ground,  they  are  indu- 
ced to  believe  that  they  can  make  an  arrangement  with  the  General 
Government,  by  which  they  can  obtain  their  interest  in  the  same, 
and  the  improvements  thereon  erected.  This  request  your  Com- 
mittee consider  reasonable,  and  are  of  opinion  that  it  ought  to  be 
granted,  and  therefore  offer  the  following  resolution  : — 

"Resolved,  That  whenever  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Soci- 
ety for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  shall  obtain  from 
the  General  Government,  a  conveyance  of  their  interest  in  the 
piece  of  ground,  lying  at  the  junction  of  the  Bloomingdale  and  Old 
post  roads,  the  Corporation  will  convey  to  the  said  Board  of  Man- 
agers, the  said  piece  of  ground,  and  the  triangular  plot  in  front,  by 
a  proper  deed  for  that  purpose,  to  be  used  by  said  Managers  for  the 
purpose  of  a  House  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delinquents ;  On  con- 
dition, that  if  it  shall  cease  to  be  used  for  that  purpose,  it  shall  then 
revert  to  the  Corporation. 

(Signed)    Jameson  Cox. 

Alpheus  Sherman. 
Geo.  Zabriskie. 
Thomas  Bolton. 
Shivers  Parker." 


57 


SELECTION  OF  CASES. 

BOYS. 

S.  C.  B. — Committed  from  the  Police-Office,  aged  fourteen,  was 
born  in  Newtown,  Conn.  His  lather  moved  to  New- York,  and  died 
before  his  memory,  his  mother  died  about  a  year  ago,  and  left  him 
friendless.  He  early  commenced  a  career  of  stealing  and  depreda- 
tion, to  which  he  was  led  by  the  company  of  older  boys,  and  his 
brief  life  exhibits  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  instances  of  juvenile 
depravity  that  has  come  under  the  notice  of  the  board.  His  thefts, 
as  admitted  by  himself  are  almost  beyond  number.  He  has  twice 
served  out  his  sentence  in  the  Penitentiary.  He  was  much  encour- 
aged in  his  thefts  by  the  facilities  afforded  him  in  selling  the  articles 
he  stole  to  persons  who  must  have  been  aware  of  the  manner  in 
which  he  got  them.  His  depredations  upon  entries  were  numerous. 
The  Circus  and  Theatre  also  presented  a  wide  field  for  his  dexter- 
ity in  picking  pockets. 

The  reformation  of  such  a  character,  was  a  bold  undertaking  by 
the  institution,  but  as  he  was  young,  and  his  offences  had  been  the 
result  of  bad  company,  his  case  was  not  considered  hopeless.  He 
found  means  to  escape  the  first  week,  but  was  brought  back:  his 
temper  was  obstinate  and  he  was  determined  upon  opposition.  Se- 
vere remedies  and  punishments  were  then  applied  to  bend  his  spirit, 
and  the  managers  have  reason  to  believe  with  success.  Since  April 
he  is  much  improved  in  temper  and  has  evinced  a  disposition  to  be- 
have well ;  he  is  now  one  of  the  most  agreeable  and  pleasant  boys 
in  the  house,  and  is  apparently  quite  happy:  should  application  be 
made  for  him  for  a  proper  place  where  he  would  be  strictly  attend- 
ed, the  Board  think  they  could  bind  him  out  with  safety. 

A.  T. — Aged  16  years,  was  committed  to  this  establishment  by 
the  Police  under  the  vagrant  act.  Although  he  was  once  taken  up 
for  being  in  company  with  a  boy  who  had  committed  theft,  yet  it 
does  not  appear  that  he  himself  had  ever  stolen.  He  lost  his  pa- 
rents when  very  young,  and  was  thus  thrown  upon  the  world. 
He  has  lived  at  several  places,  and  worked  for  short  periods  at  sev- 
eral employments.  Latterly  he  lived  in  Bancker-street,  where  his 
sole  employment  was  to  pick  chips,  and  play  in  the  streets.  The 
first  week  of  his  commitment  to  this  establishment,  he  found  means 
to  escape  by  the  aid  of  carpenter's  tools,  the  next  day  he  returned 
unexpectedly,  and  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  superintendent — 
said  that  he  had  no  desire  of  leaving  the  house,  but  was  persuaded 
by  another ;  that  he  wished  to  see  his  sister,  whom  he  had  heard 
was  sick;  he  is  sensible  that  this  is  the  place  for  him,  and  the  only 
means  of  ridding  himself  of  his  former  associates  and  his  evil  pro- 
pensities. He  has  for  several  months  been  in  the  confidence  of  the 
superintendent,  and  principally  employed  as  a  guard  over  the  other 
boys :  he  has  also  frequently  been  sent  to  the  city  on  errands,, 
which  he  has  discharged  faithfully.  The  managers  think  that  they 
could  bind  him  out  to  a  proper  place  with  confidence. 

J.  H. —  Now  about  12  years  of  age,  was  born  in  the  city,  his  pa- 
rents died  in  his  infancy,  and  he  was  successively  taken  by  several 
of  his  relations.  He  was  one  year  in  the  Aims-House,  and  has 
been  left  to  follow  pretty  much  his  own  inclinations,  without  a 
friendly  hand  to  guide  him.    So  far  as  we  know  he  has  never  been 

3 


58 


arraigned  for  crime  or  put  in  prison.  He  was  sent  to  this  estab- 
lishment by  the  Police  under  the  vagrant  act.  He  was  in  May  last 
indented  to  a  farmer  in  Poughkeepeie. 

From  the  time  be  was  received  into  this  asylum  up  to  his  leaving 
it,  his  conduct  was  almost  unexceptionably  good:  to  his  fellows  he 
was  pleasant  and  agreeable,  to  his  superiors  obedient  and  humble. 
Two  letters  have  been  received  from  the  gentleman  to  whom  he  is 
indented,  which  give  satisfactory  accounts  of  his  behavior.* 

E.  M.  — Aged  15  years.  His  parents  are  now  living  in  this  city, 
and  with  whom  he  has  always  lived.  He  used  to  pick  chips  in  the 
street,  and  the  first  thing  he  ever  stole  was  chips  from  other  boys. 
About  two  years  since,  he,  in  company  with  an  older  boy  who  had 
been  in  the  Penitentiary,  stole  from  a  man  in  the  street  who  was 
intoxicated,  a  bundle  containing  many  articles;  he  was  taken  up, 
tried  for  highway  robbery,  and  sent  to  the  Penitentiary  for  six 
months,  when  his  time  was  out,  he  commenced  thieving  again. 
He  was  again  taken  up  and  put  in  Bridewell,  (where  he  has  been 
three  or  four  times,)  convicted  and  sentenced  to  the  House  of  Re- 
fuge. He  escaped  in  a  short  time,  and  was  found  in  Bridewell, 
where  he  had  been  committed  under  a  feigned  name,  under  suspi- 
cion of  shop-lifting.  Severe  remedies  and  punishments  were  ap- 
plied for  nearl}7  two  months.  He  was  put  to  the  shoe  maker's 
bench.  Since  April,  his  conduct  has  been  such  as  to  give  much 
satisfaction.  He  is  unremitted  in  attention  to  his  work,  and  evin- 
ces much  ambition.  In  short,  his  uniformly  good  conduct  since 
the  above  time  "  impress  us  with  the  belief,"  says  the  superinten- 
dent, "  that  the  steps  taken  for  his  preservation  will  prove  success- 
ful ;  in  him  we  anticipate  the  realization  of  our  wishes." 

J.  P. — Aged  between  fourteen  and  fifteen,  was  born  in  Boston  ; 
his  father  being  dead,  his  mother  removed  to  this  city,  and  married 
again ;  she  takes  in  washing,  and  his  step-father  is  a  laborer,  and 
works  along  shore.  He  has  been  to  sea  four  months,  on  his  return 
he  lived  with  his  mother,  has  not  lived  at  any  other  place;  he  used 
to  sell  oysters  and  clams,  and  play  about  the  streets.  About  two 
years  ago,  he  stole  a  goose  from  on  board  a  sloop,  and  was  sent  by 
the  Police  six  months  to  the  Penitentiary.  He  stayed  out  his  time, 
and  stole  nothing  (he  says)  afterwards :  he  was  taken  up  in  Jan- 
uary last  on  a  Sunday,  for  getting  with  other  boys  into  the  cabin  of 
a  steam-boat :  he  was  put  in  Bridewell  and  then  committed  to  this 
establishment.  He  was  never  at  school.  His  conduct  at  first  was 
very  refractory;  evincing  a  settled  determination  to  escape,  in 
which  he  once  succeeded,  but  was  retaken.  Appearing  bent  on 
his  purpose,  and  making  several  ineffectual  efforts,  it  was  found  ne- 
cessary to  apply  severe  and  continued  punishments  and  confine- 
ment to  break  the  obstinacy  of  his  temper. 

Since  April,  his  conduct  has  been  very  good,  he  has  been  one  of 
the  guard  for  some  months,  and  has  frequently  been  sent  to  town 
with  the  cart. 

M.  W. — Between  15  and  16  years  of  age,  from  the  Police — he 
has  no  mother  but  his  father  is  living  in  this  city :  without  his  fa- 
ther's consent  he  went  to  sea;  on  his  return,  he  lived  at  various 
places  and  employments  for  short  periods,  in  wandering  in  the 


See  Page  42. 


59 


streets  and  picking  chips,  by  which  he  was  exposed  to  constant 
temptation.  He  was  at  length  taken  up  for  stealing  a  turkey,  and 
sent  to  the  Penitentiary  for  six  months.  When  he  came  out  he 
strolled  through  the  streets,  and  commenced  pilfering  as  an  occu- 
pation, and  was  three  times  committed  to  Bridewell. 

His  conduct  from  the  day  he  was  received  into  this  establishment, 
was  uniformly  good  :  he  was  one  of  the  guard  for  about  three 
months,  the  duties  of  which  he  performed  vigilantly.  After  having 
given  many  evidences  that  he  would  not  return  to  his  former  mal- 
practices, he  was  at  his  own  request  indented  to  a  farmer  in  Broome 
County,  on  the  14th  of  October. 

G.  D. — Between  14  and  15  years  of  age— was  born  in  this  city, 
his  parents  are  living,  and  he  has  always  staid  with  them  ;  he  was 
brought  up  in  idleness,  which  led  to  habits  of  pilfering.  He  was 
charged  with  stealing  clothes,  tried,  and  sentenced  for  six  months 
to  the  Penitentiary,  at  the  expiration  of  his  sentence,  as  his  parents 
had  neglected  him,  he  was  sent  to  the  Refuge  by  the  commissioners 
of  the  Alms-house. 

He  has  conducted  himself  better  than  we  had  a  right  to  expect, 
considering  the  manner  in  which  he  has  been  brought  up.  He 
has  a  cheerful  and  obliging  disposition,  and  does  much  to  obtain 
the  good-will  of  the  other  boys.  He  is  engaged  to  a  person  in  the 
country. 

T.  B. — Aged  17,  committed  by  the  Police  under  the  vagrant  act. 
He  was  born  in  this  city;  his  father  is  a  laborer.  He  was' some 
years  in  the  Aims-House,  whence  Jie  was  bound  to  Paterson,  but 
having  permission  to  spend  a  fourth  of  July  in  town,  he  did  not  re- 
turn :  the  winter  following,  he  was  again  sent  to  the  Aims-House, 
and  indented  to  a  gentleman  in  one  of  the  western  counties,  who 
removing  to  New-YorJ\,  brought  the  boy  with  him,  who  left  his 
master  and  went  to  live  with  his  father,  where  he  staid  until  his 
mother  died,  when  he  began  to  lead  an  irregular  life.  The  first 
theft  he  ever  committed  was  in  stealing  some  silver  from  his  young 
brother.  About  four  years  since  in  company  with  another  boy,  he 
stole  a  bundle  of  clothes,  for  which  he  was  sent  to  the  Penitentiary 
for  six  months.  He  has  been  in  the  habit  of  drinking,  in  which  his 
parents  encouraged  him.  He  says  he  drank  one  day  twenty-two 
glasses  and  was  not  intoxicated. 

Since  he  has  been  in  the  house,  the  superintendent  has  not  had 
much  cause  to  complain  of  frim.  He  has  frequently  been  heard  to 
express  his  gratitude  that  he  was  snatched  from  the  vortex  of  dissi- 
pation into  which  he  was  fast  hastening,  and  to  exclaim  "  what 
would  have  become  of  me  by  this  time,  if  I  had  not  been  brought 
here." 

—  R.  F. — About  16  years  old.  Was  born  in  this  city.  His  pa- 
rents, with  whom  he  has  lived  most  of  the  time,  allowed  him  to  be 
a  street  idler.  He  early  commenced  stealing,  which  seems  to  have 
been  with  him  a  passion.  He  has  been  tried  for  it  four  several 
times,  and  served  out  in  the  Penitentiary  four  different  terms  of 
punishment,  and  was  finally  sent  to  this  Refuge. 

As  he  has  had  no  opportunities  of  gratifying  his  vicious  propen- 
sity since  he  has  been  here,  it  is  not  possible  to  say  how  far  good 
principles  and  virtuous  examples  have  had  an  effect  on  him.  The 
superintendent  reports  that  his  conduct  has  been  such  as  to  five 


60 


him  much  satisfaction;  he  is  in  possession  of  his  confidence,  and 
has  occasionly  been  on  guard. 

J.  T.  E. — aged  17  years,  is  a  young  man  of  good  parentage,  and 
who  has  lived  in  several  respectable  places  in  this  city.  His  first 
temptation  to  error  was  the  sudden  attainment  of  money  by  draw- 
ing a  prize  in  a  lottery,  which  led  him  into  dissipation  and  evil 
company.  He  became  acquainted  with  women  of  loose  character, 
who  led  him  into  extravagance,  which  induced  him  to  commit  theft 
to  support  his  manner  of  living  when  his  lottery  money  was  ex- 
pended. The  Court  considering  his  youth,  the  respectability  of 
his  family,  and  it  being  the  first  offence,  thought  fit  to  sentence 
him  to  the  House  of  Refuge.  He  says  he  never  knew  a  moment's 
happiness  from  the  time  he  committed  the  first  offence,  to  his  be- 
ing taken  up. 

Since  his  admission  into  the  establishment,  his  conduct  has  been 
such  as  we  have  reason  to  be  satisfied  with.  The  abhorrence  he 
appears  to  feel  at,  and  the  contrition  he  evinces  for,  his  former 
conduct,  give  strong  encouragement  to  believe  that  he  will  yet  be- 
come a  useful  and  respectable  member  of  society. 

GIRLS. 

C.  A. — Aged  between  15  and  16,  has  a  mother  in  this  city,  with 
whom  she  has  always  lived.  This  girl  was  brought  up  to  no  other 
employment  than  picking  chips  for  her  mother,  which  led  her  to 
live  in  the  streets,  and  be  exposed  to  every  species  of  crime.  She 
was  taken  up  with  other  girls  for  stealing  a  watch.  She  made  two 
several  attempts  to  escape,  and  her  conduct  was  such  as  to  require 
confinement  and  punishment.  The  misconduct  of  this  girl,  we 
think,  may  with  justice  be  attributed  to  the  example  of  a  depraved 
mother  and  elder  sister,  who  are  now  in  the  Penitentiary,  as  well 
as  to  an  impaired  mind,  occasioned  by  an  epileptic  affection  with 
which  she  has  been  afflicted  since  a  child.  Our  physicians  have 
prescribed  for  her,  and  have  been  successful  in  suspending  her  fits: 
since  July  she  has  not  had  a  return  of  them.  From  which  time 
she  has  behaved  much  better.  The  improvement  of  her  mind  is 
also  sufficient  to  give  flattering  hopes  of  her  yet  becoming  a  res- 
pectable woman. 

A.  M.  C— Between  13  and  14  j-ears  of  age.  Her  mother  lived 
in  Bancker-street,  but  is  now  in  the  Alms  House;  the  girl  has 
lived  for  short  periods  in  several  places.  She  afterwards  became 
associated  with  girls  of  bad  character,  was  in  the  habit  of  picking 
chips,  running  about  the  docks,  stealing  small  articles  and  selling 
them  to  market  women.  She,  in  company  with  other  girls,  com- 
mitted several  robberies  upon  strangers  in  the  public  streets,  of  an 
aggravated  nature,  which  indicated  a  degree  of  daring  and  vice  be- 
yond her  years.  It  may  not  be  proper  to  give  a  detailed  account 
of  the  life  of  this  girl  and  several  others  hereafter  mentioned  ;  suf- 
fice it  is  to  say,  that  to  reform  such  characters  requires  no  ordi- 
nary patience  and  talent. 

Upon  reading  her  history,  it  will  naturally  be  supposed  that 
from  one  so  early  depraved,  much  was  not  to  be  expected.  Since 
her  reception  into  this  establishment,  she  has  frequently  been  vis- 
ited by  her  mother,  from  whom  we  have  learned  sufficient  to  jus- 
tify our  saying  that  her  conduct  may  rather  be  ascribed  to  her  bad 


61 


example,  than  to  any  intrinsic  or  natural  propensity  to  evil.  Yet 
notwithstanding  her  early  disadvantages,  we  feel  pleasure  in  say- 
ing, that  within  the  last  three  months,  a  great  change  in  her  feel- 
ings, as  wrell  as  her  conduct,  has  been  effected,  and  she  bids  fair  to 
become  entirely  reformed. 

J.  M.  C. — Twelve  years  old,  born  in  this  city,  is  sister  of  the 
preceding.  With  such  an  example,  and  such  company,  and 
without  any  controul  from  her  mother,  a  different  fate  from  her 
sister's  could  not  be  expected.  She  became  vicious  and  criminal,  and 
was  taken  up  as  an  accomplice  in  her  sister's  robberies.  Being 
younger  in  crime  and  years  than  her  sister,  there  were  much 
greater  hopes  of  her  reformation  ;  nor  have  they  been  disappointed . 
She  was  indented  to  a  gentleman  in  Poughkeepsie  some  months 
ago,  from  whom  very  flattering  accounts  of  her  conduct  have  been 
received.  He  states  that  "her  conduct  has  been  unexceptionable, 
and  he  is  informed  by  her  teachers,  that  she  is  the  best  scholar  in 
her  class." 

D.  W. — Aged  fifteen  ;  was  with  the  last  two  girls  on  the  com- 
mission of  their  robberies,  and  was  sent  to  this  place  by  the  police 
on  her  being  detected. 

After  remaining  a  sufficient  time  to  convince  the  superintendent 
that  she  felt  a  desire  to  reform,  agreeably  to  her  own  wishes  she 
was  bound  to  a  gentleman  in  the  western  part  of  the  state.  In  a 
letter  under  date  of  the  30th  August  last,  he  states  "that  her  con- 
duct has  been  good.  She  has  given  less  cause  of  complaint  than 
he  should  have  reason  to  expect  from  a  girl  of  her  age  taken  from 
one  of  our  well  regulated  families  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The 
lessons  taught  her  while  under  your  care  appear  to  have  made 
a  proper,  and,  I  think,  a  lasting  impression  on  her  mind. 
She  evinces  a  disposition  to  learn  w^hat  is  good  ;  and  such  work 
as  is  proper  for  her,  she  performs  with  ingenuity  and  neatness." 

M.  A.  C. — Aged  sixteen  years.  Both  her  parents  are  dead. 
She  has  been  to  service  in  several  places  in  this  city.  Being  out 
of  place,  she  formed  acquaintance  with  girls  who  led  her  into  vi- 
cious courses.  She  was  sent  one  day  with  others  of  errands;  after 
being  absent  some  hours  she  returned,  and  said  she  had  been  to  see 
her  relations.  She  stated  that  from  the  moment  she  had  left  the 
house  until  her  return  she  was  unhappy,  and  that  she  wished  to 
remain  here  until  it  was  thought  best  for  her  to  leave.  Her  im- 
provement is  such  as  to  give  much  satisfaction.  She  appears  de- 
termined upon  becoming  a  respectable  woman.  She  has  acquired 
the  art  of  manufacturing  grass  into  hats,  and  has  a  happy  faculty 
of  teaching  others. 

S.  A.  R. — Aged  between  thirteen  and  fourteen  years,  was  born 
in  this  city.  Her  parents  having  died,  she  was  put  to  several  pla- 
ces, at  none  of  which  she  remained  any  time,  or  received  any  im- 
provement. She  wras  taken  up  by  the  watch  and  sent  to  this  es- 
tablishment. Her  conduct  since  June  has  been  more  than  ordina- 
rily good  :  she  is  very  ambitious,  and  frequently  exerts  herself 
beyond  her  strength.    She,  in  a  fewr  days,  is  to  be  bound  out. 

J.  G. — Aged  between  16  and  17.  She  has  lived  in  several  pla- 
ces but  in  none  to  any  advantage  to  her  principles  or  habits.  Her 
last  place,  in  Bancker-street,  led  her  to  form  evil  associates.  She 
was  taken  up  by  the  watch,  being  in  bad  company,  and  committed 


62 


to  this  house.  With  her  conduct  since  in  the  house,  the  superin- 
tendent has  had  hotter  reason  to  he  satisfied  than  with  that  of  any 
other  of  our  female  subjects,  notwithstanding  the  vicious  life  she 
led  the  last  year  before  she  came  into  this  establishment.  She  has 
many  good  principles.  After  being  in  the  house  a  few  weeks,  she 
became  willing  to  yield  to  restraints  and  attend  to  advice  given  her. 
She  has  a  good  disposition,  and  pleasant  manners.  She  was  inden- 
ted the  beginning  of  last  month. 


Subscribers  and  Donors 


TO  THE 


LIFE  SUBSCRIBERS. 


Israel  Corse      -  -  $100 

Harriot  Douglass  -  100 

Thomas  Gibbons  *-  100 

William  Jauncey  -  100 

James  Lovett     -  -  100 

John  Watts       -  -  100 

Moses  Allen       -  50 

John  Adams      -  -  £0 

George  Arcularius  -  50 

Stephen  Allen    -  -  50 

William  B.  Astor  -  50 

David  Austin     -  -  50 

Saul  Alley         -  50 

Thomas  Allen    -  -  50 

Cornelius  M.  Allen  -  50 

Heman  Averili  -  -  50 

Divie  Bethune    -  50 

Daniel  Berrien  -  50 

Henry  Brevoort,  jun  -  50. 

Thomas  S.  Byrnes  -  50 

Robert  Brown    -  50 

William  Bayard  -  50 

Henry  Barclay  -  -  0811 

Joseph  Blackwell  -  50 

Isaac  Bronson    -  50 

James  Boggs      -  50 

Floyd  S.  Bailey  -  -  50 

Henry  Booraem  -  50 

James  Byers      -  -  50 

Hyppolite  Barrere  -  50 

F.  Barretto       -  -  50 

Abraham  Bell    -  -  50 

M.  W.  Brett      -  -  50 

Gurdon  Buck     -  -  50 

Robert  Bogardus  -  50 

Dr.  Wrilliam  Barrow  -  50 

James  Boorman  -  50 


G.  WT.  &  H.  Bruen 
Thomas  Buckley 
Isaac  Collins 
C.  D.  Colden  - 
Robert  C.  Cornell 
Matthew  Clarkson 
Mrs.  Costar 
Borden  Chase  - 
John  G.  Costar  - 
Isaac  Carow 
Lynde  Catlin 
Barney  Corse 
Henry  Carey 
Duncan  P.  Campbell 
Henry  A.  Costar 
Levi  Coit  - 
Gilbert Coutant  - 
Joseph  F.  Carroll 
T.  S.  Clarkson  - 
J.  J.  Coddington 
John  B.  Coles  - 
Robert  Cheescbrough 
Cornelius  Du  Bois 
M.  Douglass 
John  F.  Delaplaine 
E.  C.  Delavan  - 
Daniel  B.  Dash  - 
Henry  Eckford  - 
Moses  Field 
Benjamin  De  Forest 
John  Flack 
Samuel  Falconer 
Andrew  Foster  - 
John  Fleming  - 
Augustus  Fleming 
William  W.  Fox 
Hickson  W.  Field 


50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 


63 


Joseph  Grinnell 
N.  L.  Griswold  - 
John  J.  Glover  - 
J.  Graff  - 
J.  A.  Graff- 
John  C.  Halsey  - 
Elijah  Humphreys 
William  Howard 
Wager  Hull 
H.  Hendricks  - 
Peter  Harmony  - 
L.  T.  &  C.  Hammersley 
G.  G.  &l  S.  Howland  - 
Philip  Hone 
John  Hone  - 
D.  G.  Hubbard  - 
Timothy  Hedges 
Samuel  Hicks 
Isaac  S.  Hone  - 
John  Haggerty  - 
John  H.  Howland 
John  A.  Hamilton 
William  C.  Holly 
Jacob  Harvey  - 
David  Hadden  - 
John  Hone,  jun. 
Fisher  How 
John  Hunter 
Dr.  D.  Hosack  - 
John  Johnson  - 
Edward  R.  Johnson  - 
Peter  A.  Jay 
Jacob  Isaacs 
S.  Jones  - 
James  J.  Jones  - 
Alice  Johnson  - 
John  T.  Irving  - 
Andrew  Jackson 
Edward  Kellogg 
Henry  Kneeland 
Joseph  Kernochan 
George  Klotts  - 
David  Lovett 
Gideon  Lee 
William  H.  Leggett  - 
Gr.  Ludlow 
John  B.  Lawrence 
John  Leonard  - 
Samuel  Leggett  - 
A.  H.  Lawrence 
Rufus  L.  Lord  - 
George  Lorillard 
Aaron  Leggett  • 
Isaac  Lawrence 


50 

Herman  Le  Roy 

C  A 
50 

50 

Iti lay  Lecke 

Eft 

50 

£  a 
50 

i> lcholas  Low 

£  A 

50 

50 

Cornelius  Low  - 

e  a 

50 

50 

iSicnoIas  Low,  jun. 

£  A 

50 

50 

Henrietta  Low  - 

£  A 
OU 

£  A 

5  (J 

John  L.  Lawrence 

00 

50 

\\  llliam  Lawton 

£  A 

50 

50 

David  Lytfig 

•  A 

oO 

50 

Thomas  Lord 

£f\ 

oO 

50 

Abner  Lord 

50 

50 

Jabez  Lovett 

50 

50 

Lindley  Murray 

50 

50 

Benjamin  Marshall 

£  A 

50 

0  ( ) 

John  Mason       -  - 

OU 

£  A 
00 

\\  illiam  r .  iVlott 

K  A 
00 

£  A 

50 

H.  31'rarland 

£  A 

50 

50 

James  M'Bride  - 

fi  A 

00 

£  a 
00 

Catharine  Murray 

£  A 

00 

Z>\) 

Ann  M.  Adams  - 

ou 

RA 

00 

O.  31aui an  - 

£  A 

00 

£  A 

00 

E.  Morewood 

£  A 

00 

£  a 
50 

L.  Malibran 

£/  k 

00 

50 

hi.  ti.  iNlCOll 

£  A 

00 

e  a 
50 

TJ>     TLX     XT ,     •  „  , 

K.  H.  jNevins 

£  A 

50 

rz  a 

50 

r .  H.  rsicoll 

cry 
OU 

e  a 
00 

George  INewbold 

K  A 
50 

50 

Ralph.  Olmsted  - 

£  A 

50 

50 

Francis  Olmsted 

£  A 

50 

50 

John  Oothout 

£  A 

50 

OU 

Jonathan  Ogden- 

ou 

50 

W  illiam  Osborn  - 

£  A 

50 

50 

John  K.  Peters  - 

50 

00 

John  Pintard 

50 

00 

Anson  Cr.  rnelps 

£  A 
00 

Oil 

[  J.  G.  Pierson  <fc  Brothers 

£  A 
00 

00 

N.  Prime  - 

£  A 
50 

RA 
Ou 

Amos  Palmer 

DO 

50 

!  Henry  II.  Paxton 

£  A 

oO 

50 

i  Vv  illiam  Paulding 

£  A 

00 

ou 

Henry  H.  Panton 

£  A 
00 

£  a 
00 

inaclueus  rnelps  cc  Co. 

DO 

00 

Charles  Porter  - 

£  A 

00 

00 

Matthew  Keed  - 

£  A 

50 

£  A 

00 

P.  Remsen 

£  A 

00 

A  A 
OU 

Moses  Rodgers  - 

£  A 

50 

50 

David  Kongers  - 

Cft 

50 

£  A 

50 

William  Khineiander  - 

50 

£  A 
00 

M.  Robinson 

£  A. 

50 

50 

William  M.  Russell  - 

50 

50 

R.  M.  Russell  - 

50 

50 

William  Roberts 

50 

50 

H.  C.  De  Rham  - 

50 

60 

Thomas  H.  Smith 

50 

64 


John  0.  Sullivan 

50 

Richard  Varick  - 

50 

Edmund  Smith  - 

50 

G.  C.  Verplanck 

60 

J.  Suydam  - 

50 

John  Watts 

50 

Thomas  Suflern  - 

50 

Charles  Wright  - 

50 

David  Stebbins  - 

50 

John  R.  Willis  - 

50 

Samuel  St.  John 

50 

Augustus  Wynkoop  - 

50 

Nathaniel  Smith 

50 

John  G.  WTarren 

50 

Sands,  Spooner,  &  Co. 

50 

Samuel  Ward 

50 

J.  S.  Schermerhorn  - 

50 

William  Weyman 

50 

Richard  Sadlier 

50 

Thomas  Woodruff 

50 

Nicholas  Schureman  - 

50 

James  D.  L.  Walton  - 

50 

Anthony  Steinback 

50 

E.  Wainwright  - 

50 

Frederick  Sheldon 

50 

Henry  Walton  - 

50 

Peter  Sharpe 

50 

Henry  I.  Wyckoff 

50 

Arthur  Tappan  - 

50 

John  Waite 

50 

James  Thompson 

50 

Charles  Wilkes  - 

50 

Jeremiah  Thompson  - 

50 

William  W.  Woolsey 

50 

Gideon  Tucker  - 

50 

Samuel  Whittemore  - 

50 

Najah  Taylor 

50 

M.  Willit 

50 

Francis  Thompson 

50 

William  Wallace  through  the 

Robert  Tillotson 

50 

Savings  Bank 

53 

M.  UlshoefTer  - 

50 

A  TV1VTTAT 
All     U  AL 

SUBSCRIBERS. 

Charles  Anthon  . 

10 

James  Bertine  . 

3 

D.  Anderson 

s 

J.  W.  Brown 

3 

John  Anderson  . 

3 

L.  Binnse  . 

3 

C.  C.  Andrews  . 

3 

Isaac  Bell  . 

5 

Daniel  Bache  . 

10 

Silas  Brown 

3 

William  G.  Bucknor  . 

10 

N.  Benjamin 

3 

J.  W.  Bleecker  . 

10 

J.  M.  Bruce 

3 

Robert  P.  Bell  . 

10 

B.  C.  Burdett  . 

3 

Frederick  R.  Bunker  . 

10 

Ira  Barnum 

3 

J.  &  L.  Brewster 

10 

James  Bogart,  jun. 

3 

James  A.  Burtis  . 

10 

James  Benedict  . 

10 

William  Baldwin 

10 

John  S.  Crary  . 

10 

Thomas  Brooks  . 

10 

Jacob  B.  Clark  . 

10 

E.  Byrne  . 

10 

D.  Crassous 

10 

Benjamin  Bailey 

10 

William  Calder  . 

10 

Lewis  Bancel 

10 

N.  Comstock 

10 

Arthur  Burtis 

10 

William  M.  Carter 

10 

William  Bleakley 

3 

Francis  Cochran 

10 

R.  C.  Barfree 

3 

Joseph  Curtis 

10 

John  Burk  . 

3 

Dr.  Thomas  Cock 

10 

Joseph  Bayley  . 

3 

Samuel  Cheesman 

10 

E.  W.  A.  Bailey 

3 

J.  Couzins 

10 

Gaston  Barnard  . 

3 

Peter  Cooper 

10 

William  Bryce  . 

3 

J.  W.  Corlies  . 

10 

G.  Bancker 

3 

John  Clapp 

3 

Enos  Baldwin 

3 

G.  Chichester 

3 

Smith  Bloomfield 

3 

J.  Cummings 

3 

Mrs.  Banks 

3 

John  Curtis 

3 

Thomas  Browning 

3 

John  Cassilear  ♦ 

3 

65 


S.  D.  Craig 

S 

Robert  Gracie  - 

3 

Joseph  Corlies  - 

3 

Samuel  Hannay 

10 

Ebenezer  Cauldwell  - 

3 

John  E.  Hyde  * 

10 

W.  &  H.  Chardyne,  - 

3 

Jacob  Houseman 

10 

W.  R.  Cook 

3 

John  Hancock 

10 

Oliver  L.  Clark 

3 

Alexander  Henderson 

10 

A.  Canter 

3 

Til  1      1    IT  1 

Lldad  Holmes  - 

1U 

Benjamin  Davids 

10 

John  Halsey 

1 1\ 

10 

Mahlon  Day- 

10 

1             XT       TT  11 

Charles  H.  Hall 

10 

John  Dean 

10 

W.  Hall  - 

10 

Evert  Duyckinck 

10 

M.  Hoyt 

10 

James  W.  Dominick  - 

10 

James  Hopson 

*> 

D.  E.  Dunscomb 

10 

G.  F.  Hopkins 

3 

John  Demon 

10 

Hugh  Holmes  - 

3 

Miss  H.  Disabaye 

3 

Oliver  Holden,  jun.  - 

iS 

G.  S.  Duryea 

3 

Henry  Hinsdale 

Q 

Elizabeth  Duryee 

3 

D.  J.  Hubbs 

o 

J.  E.  Dekay 

3 

John  R.  Hurd  - 

o 
o 

John  F.  Doland 

3 

J.  H.  Hetherington  - 

3 

J.  L.  Dunning  - 

3 

J.  J.  Ingersoll 

10 

E.  G.  Dunnell  - 

3 

William  Israel 

5 

J.  Duffee  - 

3 

TV     a  T 

D.  &.  Jones 

m  ft 

1" 

Enoch  Dean 

3 

James  Jarvis 

10 

John  C.  Davenport  - 

3 

D.  Jacot  - 

a 
3 

Ogden  Edwards 

10 

T  1X1 

Joseph  Johnson- 

3 

Robert  Emmett 

10 

Napthali  Judah  - 

3 

George  Englehart 

3 

Richard  Jennings 

3 

Thomas  Eddy,  jun. 

3 

Silvester  Judson 

3 

S.  Flewwelling 

10 

John  Kemp 

l0 

Thomas  Freeborn 

10 

Francis  Kane 

3 

Lockwood  Feeks 

10 

WIT             IT           1  1 

William  Kemble 

Q 
O 

N.  Fellows 

10 

Isaac  Keeler 

3 

Martha  Farrier 

3 

John  D.  Keese  - 

Q 

3 

Ferris  Finch 

3 

H.  T.  Kiersted 

6 

Job  Furman 

3 

Henry  Lowery  - 

3 

Theodosius  Fowler  - 

3 

H.  B.  Lambert  - 

3 

William  Forrest 

3 

ITT*  11*              T»  T 

William  B.  Lowery  - 

3 

William  Frazer 

3 

T.  F.  Livingston 

3 

James  Fellows 

3 

Rufus  Lockwood 

o 

3 

John  A.  Franklin 

o 

3 

T»  •    1          IT  • 

Richard  Loins  - 

3 

D.  A.  Frost 

o 

3 

Walter  Langdon 

3 

John  Gnscom  - 

10 

T     T  „             _  J 

J.  Lockwood 

Q 

James  W.  Gerard 

1*0 

Allen  C.  Lee 

10 

J.  &  C.  Gascoigne 

10 

John  W.  Leavitt 

10 

Jonathan  Goodhue 

10 

Henry  Laverty 

10 

Charles  Guyer 

10 

Hugh  Laing 

10 

Henry  E.  Grinnell 

3 

Charles  Lawton 

10 

F.  Gebhard 

10 

Lebbeus  Loomis 

10 

Samuel  L.  Governeur 

10 

C.  L.  Livingston 

10 

Isaac  Greenwood 

3 

Matthias  Luff  - 

10 

James  Grey 

3 

J.  Lucas 

10 

Samuel  Gesmon 

3 

J.  W.  Lent 

10 

James  Guion 

3 

George  Lovett  - 

3 

William  Geib  - 

3 

T.  Lovett 

3 

9 


66 


Mrs.  P.  Lawrence 
Peter  Lorillard  - 
R.  M.  Livingston 
John  De  Lancey 
George  Mackie 
Robert  I.  Murray 
Dr.  V.  Mott 
D.  M'Carthy 
James  M'Gee  &  Co  - 
George  Manold 
Reuben  Munson 
Richard  Mott  - 
Robert  F.  Mott 
Hugh  Maxwell  - 

D.  M-Lauirhlin 
William  M'Neil 
J.  Mount 
Asher  Martin  - 
B.  P.  Meleck  - 
Alexander  M 'Donald  - 
Oliver  Morse 
Daniel  Mersereau 
David  Marsh 
Samuel  Marsh  - 
Casper  Meier 

M.  Mulden 

N.  Mead 

T.  W.  Moore  - 

William  W.  Miner  - 

S.  Nathan 

J.  &  C.  Nichols  &  Co 
Andrew  S.  Norwood  - 
William  Neilson 
M.  Nicholl        -    .  - 
John  Ogden 
Jacob  Ostrom  - 
Samuel  Osborn  - 
F.  Olmstead 
James  F.  Palmer 
John  Poillon 
P.  Perit 

E.  T.  Pinckney 
Walter  Peck 
Stephen  Peck  - 
William  Prior  - 
Richard  E.  Purdy 
N.  Smith  Prentiss 
George  Pardon  - 
Joel  Post 
Thompson  Price 
Lemuel  Pitman  - 
R.  Pardesses 
Joseph  Parker  -  - 
Rodger  Prout  - 


3 

F.  Place 

3 

10 

Josiah  B.  Quinby 

3 

K)  J  G.  S.  Robbins  - 

•10 

11) 

J.  F.  Randolph 

10 

10 

James  Roosevelt 

10 

•10 

David  Reynolds 

10 

10 

William  0.  Rhinelander 

10 

10 

Henry  Rodgers 

10 

10 

Beverly  Robinson 
George  Robson  - 

10 

10 

3 

10 

Henry  Robinson 

10 

S.  F.  Randolph 

3 

10 

C.  N.  S.  Rowland 

3 

o 

John  Robins 

3 

3 

John  S.  Roper 

3 

3 

N.  Rodgers 

a 

3 

\ir     "ill*       l  i 

F.  W.  Rhinelander 

o 

3 

3 

P.  Rhinelander  - 

5 

3 

John  Redfield 

3 

3 

George  Seaman 

10 

3 

Stephen  Smith 

1  O 

3 

J.  P.  Simpson 

10 

5 

David  Seaman 

10 

3 

Henry  Sheldon  - 

10 

3 

Benjamin  Strong 

10 

3 

Peter  Stagg 

1  f\ 

10 

3 

G.  H.  Stanton 

1  u 

3 

J.  Shepherd  - 

3 

3 

Dr.  G.  Smith 

3 

10 

William  Stephens 

6 

10 

Morris  Shipley 

3 

10 

S.  Seaton 

3 

3 

James  S.  Slover 

£5 

3 

W.  W.  Shirley  - 

ct 
O 

10 

Mrs.  G.  Smith  - 

5 

10 

Dr.  James  Stewart 

3 

3 

P.  N.  Strong 

3 

3 

Philip  Smith 

3 

10 

James  Stewart  - 

3 

10 

William  Scott  - 

o 

3 

10 

Thomas  Stevens 

3 

10 

William  F.  Stevens  - 

3 

3 

William  Schureman  - 

3 

3 

Henry  D.  Sedgwick  - 

5 

3 

Bishop  Sherwood 

er 

a 

3 

Jacob  Tier 

10 

3 

Frederick  Tracy 

10 

3 

James  Tessier 

10 

3 

Orin  Thompson 

10 

3 

Henry  Thomas 

10 

3 

John  G.  Tibbits 

5 

3 

Samuel  H.  Turner 

5 

3 

William  Thompson 

3 

3 

J.  C.  Totten 

3 

67 


Peter  S.  Titus 

3 

Dr.  H.  W.  Webb 

10 

Walter  Underhill 

10 

Wi.liam  Wright 

10 

George  Upfold 

3 

Elijah  Whipple 

10 

Eli  Vail 

10 

James  Wallace 

10 

M.  M.  Valentine 

10 

L.  Wyckoff 

3 

A.  M.  Valentine 

10 

Salem  Wines 

3 

Cornelius  Van  Allen 

10 

Henrv  Wyckoff 

3 

N.  Van  Antwerp 

10 

Eliphalet  Wheeler 

3 

H.  Van  Wagenen 

3 

Lewis  Wiseburn 

3 

L.  Van  Antwerp 

3 

Elizabeth  Walsh 

3 

Thomas  Van  Antwerp 

S 

Jonathan  M.  Wainwright 

3 

Ahraliain  Van  Riwkirk 

3 

H.  Worrall 

3 

William  WaHncr 

11   11I1CX11&       »»   til  J  li^ 

3 

George  Wrasffif 

3 

E.  J.  White 

3 

Henry  Wendall 

3 

Francis  P.  Videl 

3 

R.  N.  Wenman 

3 

M.  Valangeas 

o 
O 

Thomas  W  aring 

q 

W.  Van  De  Water 

3 

Joseph  Walker 

5 

J.  Webb  &  Co. 

10 

J.  S.  &  R.  Comstock 

10 

Charles  Wardell 

10 

DONORS. 


William  Agnew 

10 

Col.  Barclay 

3 

B.  Armitage 

5 

Thomas  Barrow 

10 

N.  T.  Arnold 

2 

Andrew  Bowden 

1  50 

Hugh  Auchincloss 

5 

David  Briggs 

2 

D.  J.  Anderson 

2 

T.  G.  Bull 

2 

Ezra  Ayres 

o 

George  Brooks 

3 

M.  Allison 

3 

James  Bleecker 

5 

B.  Andariese 

3 

R.  H.  Bowne 

5 

J.  Auchincloss 

5 

D.  Brooks 

10 

S.  &  J.  Angevine 

2 

Mrs.  D.  Brinckerhoff 

10 

William  Acheson 

2 

Peter  Burtsell 

5 

N.  Allen 

3 

Lyman  Betts 

15 

Benjamin  Andreoin 

2 

John  Buckley  &  Son 

2 

Henry  Arcularius 

10 

R.  V.  Beekman 

3 

Dr.  S.  Akerley 

5 

T.  H.  Bogart 

5 

Benjamin  Aymar 

10 

C.  Bostwick 

3 

Daniel  Alley 

3 

Samuel  A.  Bascom 

5 

Jacob  Aimes 

3 

William  Berrian 

3 

Obadiah  Ayres 

1  50 

William  Brown 

3 

Joanna  Bethune 

5 

Thomas  Brown 

5 

E.  Bliss  &  E.  White 

20 

J.  Blackfan 

3 

Anna  Braithwaite 

20 

Richard  Berrian 

5 

Nathan  Bailey 

25 

Joseph  Baggot 

2 

James  Bailey 

10 

Samuel  Brown 

2 

James  Boyd 

10 

J.  V.  B.  Barricklo 

2 

Andrew  Brunn 

5 

J.  Bolton 

10 

Mrs.  A.  Brown 

5 

Burrell 

1 

Wrilliam  Burtsell 

10 

George  W.  Brown 

5 

Noah  Brown 

20 

B.  &  L. 

3 

Jas.&Th.Beatty  &  others  21  25 

Peter  Bartine 

3 

D.  I.  Boyd 

10 

Abraham  Bogart 

5 

68 


Richard  Bird 

5 

William  S.  Capper 

10 

Miles  Bacon 

5 

David  Crowther 

5 

Jacob  Benderhajer 

1 

Thomas  Collins 

20 

Edward  Breman 

3 

William  Craig 

10 

J.  K.  Boyd 

8 

J.  G.  Collins 

10 

Joseph  Barnes 

Amsy  Chapman 

3 

Henry  Bunce 

3 

Henry  Calam 

3 

David  Brooks 

10 

John  Camm 

3 

William  Butler 

3 

John  B.  Cheesman 

3 

Isaac  Brewster 

3 

Henry  Coit 

10 

Isaac  Brown 

3 

Cash 

1 

C.  C.  Blatchley 

3 

Dennis  H.  Doyle 

20 

Peter  Burdet 

3 

John  Day 

10 

William  J.  Bunker 

20 

Lyman  Dennisson 

5 

John  Corlies 

10 

T.  C.  Doremus 

3 

Benjamin  Corlies 

10 

J.  P.  Dervent 

10 

Cash 

10 

Joseph  Depew 

5 

Sarah  Collins 

20 

Davis  &  Smith 

6 

David  Clarkson 

5 

William  Du  Bois 

3 

John  Conger 

10 

Robert  Dickson 

5 

Cash 

5 

B.  Deming 

2 

William  Cooper 

20 

John  C.  Dillon 

2 

Levinus  Clarkson 

10 

Mrs.  Mary  Dale 

3 

William  Civill 

2 

John  Drake 

3 

Robert  Center 

5 

R.  Dyson 

5 

Francis  Cochran 

10 

John  Darg 

5 

Cash 

5  50 

Thomas  Doyle 

2 

Benjamin  Clapp 

1 

John  M.  Dow 

3 

Mrs.  Currie 

2 

Charles  Dusenbury 

2 

R.  H.  Cummings 

3 

E.  Dudley 

5 

Cash 

25 

Archibald  Davie 

2 

D.  D.  Crane 

3 

Philo  Doane 

2 

C.  Cadell 

2 

Andrew  Dooley 

5 

W'illiam  Corech 

10 

John  Duncase 

3 

Cash 

16 

Mrs..Doyer 

3 

Cash 

36 

Benjamin  Disbrow 

5 

Abraham  Coursen 

10 

John  Dean 

2 

John  Colgate 

3 

Miss  H.  Dessabaye 

4 

T.  S.  Clark 

3 

Edward  Doughty 

3 

Cash 

17 

Dagget  &  Kinsett 

1  50 

James  Casey 

5 

Richard  Dunn,  jun. 

3 

William  A.  Cook 

3 

PaulDominge 

3 

John  Concklin 

1 

Cornelia  Edgar 

10 

John  Cowan 

3 

John  L.  Embree 

5 

P.  Clendining 

20 

Thomas  A.  Emmet 

5 

Cash 

13  50 

George  Ehrenger 

4 

J.  H.  Cowperthwaite 

3 

Daniel  Ensley 

10 

Charles  O'Connor 

5 

John  Ely,  jun. 

2 

Mr.  Cahoone 

1 

Joseph  D.  Evernghim 

10 

Captain  Conee 

o 
o 

John  Emmons 

3 

Benjamin  Crane 

5 

Robert  Edwards 

2 

Alexander  Cascaddon 

1 

Joseph  D.  Fay 

3 

W.  &,  T.  C.  Chardavoyne 

2 

A  Female  Friend 

50 

Cash 

3 

James  Fox 

3 

69 


Mr.  Foot 
George  S.  Fox 
A.  Falconer 
William  J.  Forbes 
Gilbert  Fowler 
Arnest  Fisk 
A  Friend 
Joseph  Flower 
Orlando  Fish 
Mrs.  Forrest 

Fink 
A  Friend 
Gabriel  Furman 
A  Friend 
Female  Friend 
John  Fream 
Alexander  S.  Glass 
George  Gallagher 
Sarah  Gerard 
John  Graham 
Robert  Gill 
John  Greenfield 
J.  Boonen  Graves 
T.  A.  Gill  &  Co. 
James  Gilbert 

Griffin 
Mr.  Gammell 
John  F.  Gardiner 
A.  Greele 
Eli  Goodwin 
William  B.  Gilley 
C.  W.  Gallagher 
Peter  G.  Hart 
Harriet  Howell 
Silas  Hicks 
Benjamin  Haight 
James  Heard 
Cornelius  Heyer 
Abner  Higgins 
E.  Holbrook 
A.  P.  Hamlin 
Mrs.  Halthouse 
H.  Hone 
Murray  Hoffman 
E.  Hamilton 
O.  Hull 

John  Herriman 
Philo  Hillyer 
Herriman  &,  Nash 
James  R.  Harned 
O.  Holmes 
J.  Hay,  jun. 
H.  &  P. 
V.  G.  Hall 


2 

E.  Higgin9 

5 

20 

G.  M.  &  W.  Hinchman 

2 

2 

Eli  Hart 

20 

3 

Peter  Hattrick 

25 

5 

A.  P.  Halsey 

3 

5 

Elvin  Hunt 

3 

1 

James  C.  Haviland 

3 

1 

J.  Hauptman 

2 

3 

William  Hilton 

5 

3 

Edmund  Haviland 

3 

0  50 

Isaac  Hatch 

3  50 

10 

Mrs.  Charles  Hall 

10 

10 

Charles  Harlett 

3 

30 

N.  C.  Hart 

9 

20 

Willet  Hicks 

20 

10 

William  Hogeland 

5 

10 

Thomas  Hewitt 

3 

20 

Gideon  Hewitt 

3 

2 

Walter  Howell 

10 

2 

Dr.  Home 

10 

10 

Isaac  Halsey 

10 

5 

A.  W.  Ivjes 

10 

10 

D.  John-on 

10 

3 

George  Ireland 

6 

1 

William  Jones 

3 

3 

T.  W.  Jenkins 

20 

3 

Henry  James 

3 

0  50 

Thomas  Jeremiah 

3 

20 

Dr.  Ireland 

3 

3 

James  Jenkins 

5 

10 

Chester  Jennings 

20 

3 

Joseph  Kissam 

10 

20 

Leonard  Kip 

25 

10 

Isaac  L.  Kip 

10 

20 

Joseph  Kirby 

3 

10 

Keoler  &  Luff 

5 

10 

R.  V.  Kissam 

3 

10 

Leonard  W.  Kip 

3 

10 

Mrs.  B.  Kenan 

3 

15 

James  G.  King 

5 

10 

H.  H.  Lawrence 

20 

1 

Thomas  H.  Leggett 

25 

10 

James  Lowery 

3 

2 

Isaac  H.  Lawrence 

5 

3 

John  Ledyard 

1 

3 

P.  W.  Livingston 

2 

3 

Catharine  Lawrence 

20 

25 

Daniel  Lord 

3 

5 

Mrs.  S.  Lee 

5 

2 

George  Long 

2 

10 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ludlow 

3 

5 

Z.  Lewis 

5 

7 

Thomas  Lawrence 

20 

1 

Mrs.  E.  Lewis 

5 

Mrs.  F.  Ludlow 

William  Langdon 
Philo  Lewis 
C.  W.  Lawrence 
Richard  Lawrence 
Mrs.  Isaac  Lawrence 
Samuel  W.  Lavcrty 
Thomas  Lyon 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Lewis 
Mrs.  Jane  Livesay 
James  W.  Lent 
Francis  B.  Lynch 
Lynch  &  Clark 
William  W.  Mott 
Samuel  Millbank 
Hannah  Murray 
Mary  Murray 
Hannah  L.  Murray 
Charles  M'Evers 
Daniel  M'Cormick 
Dr.  H.  Mott 
John  M'Donald 
A.  M'Clure 
Mrs.  A.  Moiris 
R.  Morris 
Mr.  Munn 
Charles  Miller 
A.  Mather 
L.  f.  Maroin 
Ralph  Mead 
H.  I.  Megary 
J.  M.  Moore 
Mrs.  Manning 
John  B.  Martin 
Milford  Martin 
Nath'l.  G.  Minturn 
John  Moore 
Thomas  W.  Marshall 
Ezra  W.  Miller 
John  Morehead 
James  Montgomery 
Mordecai  Myers 
James  Mesham 
Abraham  M.  Martling 
Thomas  Mooney 
Charles  Mills 
A.  M'Cullum 
Leander  Mead 
Mr.  Marsh 
Jonas  Ma  pes 
Samuel  Manning 
James  Morgan 
Hugh  Miller 
John  Moran 


70 


5 

Abraham  Merrill 

1 

5 

Benjamin  Merrit 

10 

3 

Samuel  Martin 

3 

10 

Samuel  Marsh 

3 

5 

Su  phen  B.  Munn 

5 

10 

David  Marsh 

]() 

3 

William  Marshall 

10 

1 

John  M'Vicker 

10 

10 

James  M'Cready,  iun. 

3 

20 

Thomas  Masters 

5 

6 

Peter  I.  Nevius 

10 

3 

J.  Nicholl 

0  50 

10 

H.  W.  Nicholl 

5 

20 

Magdeline  Oothout 

10 

10 

Daniel  Oakey 

10 

5 

Peter  Ogilvic 

12 

10 

Charles  Oakley 

10 

10 

Alexander  Ogilvie 

3 

10 

Silas  Olmsted 

1 

£0 

Charles  Osborn 

10 

20 

William  P,  Page 

20 

5 

Peter  Pinckney 

3 

5 

Jonathan  Pinckney 

3 

3 

James  Palmer 

20 

2 

Robert  Pearsall 

20 

1 

H.  Parrish 

20 

10 

Allen  Peck 

5 

3 

J.  Pittsbury 

3 

3 

J.  S.  Piatt 

5 

5 

Philopon 

5 

2 

Samuel  Penny  &  Son 

5 

3 

Dr.  Perkins 

3 

5 

John  Penot 

4 

5 

F.  S.  Peet 

3 

3 

Laurence  Proudfoot 

10 

10 

John  Peterson 

3 

5 

M.  Parker 

5 

2 

Henry  Post 

10 

5 

John  Poiner 

3 

5 

Mrs.  Pool 

0  50 

2 

Isaac  Peckford 

2 

1 

Peter  Powell 

1 

1 

Joseph  Petit 

3 

2 

Peter  A.  Peshine 

3 

1 

Henry  Peters 

3 

3 

Robert  M.  Pennoyer 

3 

3 

William  Paluck 

3 

2 

Tunis  Quinby 

5 

1 

Susan  A.  Remsen 

10 

10 

Collin  Reed 

20 

10 

A.  Richards 

10 

1 

Laman  Read 

20 

1 

Thomas  Richards 

5 

0  50 

Dr.  J.  S.  Rodgers 

10 

71 


Robert  Ray 
Thomas  A.  Rich 
D.  L.  Rapelve 
B.  S.  Rowland 
Frederick  Richard 
W.  H.  Robinson 
J.  Robertson 
Thomas  A.  Ronalds 
Mr.  Robinson 
T.  O.  Richards 
H.  Remsen 
Moses  Ritter 
James  B.  Reguire 
Robert  Le  Roy 
George  Suckley 
James  Swords 
Isaac  T.  Storm 
Francis  Saltus 
L.  Saltus 
Thomas  Skelding 
H.  H.  Schieffelin 
William  Schott 
Samuel  Stillwell 
Henry  Shelters 
S.  Seaman 
Isaac  Sayre 
Charles  G.  Shipman 
Mr.  Shapter 
Peter  H.  Schenck 
Miss  Shaw 
J.  C,  Sigourney 
J.  D.  Steele 
Jacob  Smith,  jun. 
William  Stewart 
Ira  Smith 
J.  A.  Snyder 
Thomas  T.  Storm 
Samuel  Sawyer 
Dennis  Stryker 
Abraham  Stagg 
John  Stuart 
Joseph  Sandford 
John  Snedecor 
George  Schmelzel 
Richard  A.  Stryker 
Selfe  &  Conklin 
L.  L.  Sturges 
R.  Sevanton 
Abraham  Shoemaker 
B.  Skaats 
James  A.  Sackett 
Mr.  Sinclcare 
George  L.  Storer 
Mrs.  Stewart 


3 

William  Scudder 

3 

2 

W.  H.  Sacket 

2 

Harris  Scovel 

2 

2 

Joseph  P.  Smith 

2 

3 

C.  Swan 

10 

10 

Daniel  Spader 

3 

2 

John  Simonson 

3 

10 

P.  Simmons 

3 

2 

E.  Secor 

1 

5 

James  Suydam 

5 

10 

Daniel  D.  Smith 

5 

3 

Thomas  Stokes 

5 

3 

Mark  Spencer 
George  Tre dwell 

5 

10 

20 

25 

Seabury  Tread  well 

20 

10 

Stephen  Thorn,  jun. 

20 

2o 

Adam  Tredwell 

20 

20 

Richard  T.  Tucker 

25 

10 

John  B.  Thorpe 

10 

10 

Mrs.  Turner 

1 

5 

Charles  W.  Taylor 

2 

5 

John  G.  Tardy 

3 

10 

Robert  Thompson 

5 

10 

Mrs.  Templeton 

2 

1 

Grant  Thorburn  &  Sen 

1 

5 

Peter  C.  Tappan 

5 

5 

John  Telfair 

10 

1 

Mrs.  Catharine  Jones 

25 

10 

George  T.  Trimble 

10 

3 

John  G.  Tibbitts 

10 

10 

Samuel  Turney 

5 

3 

Walter  Titus 

10 

n 

Luke  Torboss 

25 

10 

Jonah  Tilley 

5 

2 

Hester  Tauzer 

2 

2 

George  B.  Thorp 

5 

3 

Bela  TifTany 

3 

3 

John  S.  Timmins 

10 

3 

Samuel  Thompson 

5 

3 

John  B.  Thorpe 

10 

5 

Isaac  Tucker 

5 

10 

Thomas  Thomas 

10 

2 

P.  B.  Van  Beuren 

3 

1 

William  L.  Vandervoort 

10 

1 

John  Van  Beuren 

20 

1 

Mrs.  C.  Valentine 

2 

2 

Abraham  Voorhees 

2 

5 

T.  Van  Tine 

2 

15 

Vreeland  &  Embree 

3 

10 

James  J.  Van  Allen 

5 

3 

William  P.  Van  Ness 

5 

1 

S.  Van  Dozer 

3 

10 

Eli  White 

20 

3 

Timothy  Whittemore 

10 

72 


P.  H.  Wendover 

10 

T.  V.  Winckle  &  Co. 

3 

Ezra  Weeks 

10 

J.  R.  Wheaton 

3 

C.  &  I.  D.  Wolfe 

25 

James  Walker 

2 

Andrew  C.  Wheeler 

10 

Robert  T.  Walker 

•  5 

J.  M.  Willard 

5 

J.  &  H.  Waterbury 

2 

John  E.  Wise 

2 

White 

0  50 

Mrs.  Wall 

1 

E.  Watholf 

1 

N.  Weed 

10 

Mrs.  Wadsworth 

10 

John  Wilson 

3 

William  Winins 

1 

W.  &  M.  Wilber 

5 

R.  White 

0  50 

J.  P.  Whittelsey 

5 

M.  Wirckmister 

3 

Wisner  &  Gale 

10 

William  Wilber 

0  50 

William  &  Harriman 

2 

H.  Waterbury 

1 

M.  Q.  Wood 

5 

Reuben  Withers 

10 

Alexander  Wiley 

5 

Tunis  B.  Waldron 

3 

John  G.  Wendall 

3 

William  C.  Wales 

3 

J.  &  O.  Williams 

10 

John  Williams 

3 

H.  Wheeler 

3 

Henry  Wicker 

5 

Stephen  Ray 

0  50 

C.  P.  White 

20 

Lewis  Wilcox 

3 

William  C.  Yarwood 

2 

D.  West 

2 

George  Youle 

1 

Ann  White 

8 

George  Zabriske 

1 

Wyckoff,  Brown,  &  Co. 

3 

The  preceding  List  exhibits  a  gratifying  testimonial  of  the  be- 
nevolence of  our  fellow  citizens  towards  the  House  of  Refuge  for 
Juvenile  Delinquents.  There  may  possibly  be  some  errors  or 
omissions  in  it,  and  the  Managers  would  be  obliged  to  Subscribers 
to  point  out  such  as  may  appear  to  them,  that  it  may  be  rendered 
%     more  complete  in  the  next  annual  report. 

The  Managers  tender  to  the  liberal  patrons  of  this  Institution 
generally,  their  acknowledgments  for  the  prompt  manner  in  which 
the  subscriptions  have  been  paid  in,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  pursue 
the  objects  of  the  association.  Mr.  Peter  Barker  is  appointed  to 
collect  the  sums  yet  unpaid,  and  to  procure  additional  subscriptions, 
in  the  confidence  of  the  continued  extension  of  public  benevolence 
to  this  important  charity. 

The  payment  of  50  dollars  or  of  10  dollars  per  annum  for  six 
years,  constitutes  a  person  a  member  of  the  Society  for  life ;  and 
an  annual  subscription  of  3  dollars,  a  member  so  long  as  it  is  con- 
tinued to  be  paid. 


73 


Officers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of 
Juvenile  Delinquents. 

CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President 
STEPHEN  ALLEN,  ^ 
JOHN  T.  IRVING, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 
HENRY  I.  WYCKOFF, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
JAMES  LOVETT, 
RALPH  OLMSTED,  Treasurer. 
ROBERT  F.  MOTT,  Secretary. 


Vice  Presidents. 


Stephen  Allen, 
Arthur  Burtis, 
C.  D.  Colden, 
Isaac  Collins, 
Samuel  Cowdrey, 
Robert  C.  Cornell, 
William  A.  Davis, 
Cornelius  Dubois, 
Thomas  Eddy, 
John  Griscom, 


Managers, 

Thomas  Gibbons, 
James  W.  Gerard, 
Joseph  Grinnell, 
John  E.  Hyde, 
Ansel  W.  Ives, 
,  John  T.  Irving, 
James  Lovett, 
William  F.  Mott, 
Robert  F.  Mott, 
Hugh  Maxwell, 


Ralph  Olmsted, 
Richard  Riker, 
John  Stearns, 
Fred'k  Sheldon, 
Peter  Sharpe, 
Arthur  Tappan, 
J.  M.  Wainwright, 
Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 
Gabriel  Wisner, 
Samuel  Wood. 


Acting-  Committee. 

Cornelius  Dubois,  Peter  Sharpe, 

Robert  C.  Cornell,  James  Lovett, 

John  E.  Hyde,  William  F.  Mott, 

Isaac  Collins,  Arthur  Burtis. 


Ladies'  Committee. 


Mrs.  Ann  Shipley, 
"    Isabella  Steele, 
"    Martha  Willis, 
**    Charlotte  Fox, 
"    Mary  Bostwick, 
"    Rebecca  M'Comb, 
"    Ann  Warner, 


Mrs.  Abigail  Barker, 
"    Maria  Hyde, 
"    Almy  Cornell, 
"    Alice  Townsend, 
"    Margaret  Prior, 

Miss  Sarah  Collins. 


House  of  Refuge* 

JOSEPH  CURTIS,  Superintendent. 
HENRY  MILLER,  Assistant. 
PHEBE  CURTIS,  Matron. 

***  Donations  to  the  House  of  Refuge  will  be  thankfully  receiv* 
ed  by  the  Officers  and  Managers  of  the  Society. 


10 


SECOND  AMUAL  REPORT,  &c 
1827. 


It  is  with  great  satisfaction  that  the  Managers  of 
the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents, in  the  city  of  New- York,  report  the  state  of 
this  Institution,  at  this  second  anniversary  of  its  estab- 
lishment. This  satisfaci ion  arises,  as  well  from  the 
liberality  with  which  a  fund,  during  the  last  year,  has 
been  provided  by  the  Legislature  lor  its  support,  as 
from  a  thorough  conviction,  that  the  good,  which  it 
was  hoped  would  result  from  its  establishment  will 
be  amply  realised. 

It  is  but  a  proper  tribute  of  grateful  recollection  to 
mention  that  the  public  is  indebted  for  this  Institution 
to  the  philanthropic  labours  of  the  Society  for  the 
Prevention  of  Pauperism.  The  attention  of  that  So- 
ciety which  was  composed  of  a  number  of  our  most 
valuable  citizens,  had  been  awakened  by  the  con- 
dition of  the  many  vagrant  children,  who  appeared 
to  be  cast  upon  the  public,  destitute  of  protectors,  a 
home,  or  the  means  of  support.  Our  court  for  the 
investigation  of  criminal  offences  was  monthly  enga- 
ged in  the  trial  of  children,  and  the  consciences  and 
feelings  of  jurors  were  shocked,  on  being  continually 
called  upon  to  decide  on  the  gnilt  or  innocence  of 
those  who  were  arraigned  before  them  almost  uncon- 
scious of  their  situation,  and  some  of  them  incapable 
of  truly  appreciating  the  criminality  of  the  offences 
with  which  they  stood  charged.  In  truth,  to  them 
an  acquittal  or  a  conviction,  was  attended  with  the 
like  disastrous  consequences.  If  acquitted,  they 
were  returned  destitute,  to  the  same  haunts  of  vice 
from  which  they  had  been  taken,  more  emboldened 
to  the  commission  of  crime,  by  their  escape  from 
present  punishment.  If  convicted,  they  were  cast 
into  a  common  prison  with  older  culprits  to  mingle 
in  conversation  and  intercourse  with  them,  ac- 
quire their  habits,  and  by  their  instruction  to  be  made 


13 

acquainted  with  the  most  artful  methods  of  perpetra- 
ting crime,  and  with  the  surest  means  of  avoiding 
its  detection. 

By  the  report  of  a  committee  of  that  Society,  made 
in  June,  1823,  it  appears  that  during  the  year,  1822, 
more  than  450  persons,  under  2-5  years  of  age,  had 
been  sentenced  in  the  Court  of  Sessions,  either 
to  the  City  Bridewell  or  to  the  Penitentiary,  and  that 
of  those  a  considerable  number  were  between  the 
ages  of  9  and  16  years.  That  the  average  number  of 
lads,  arraigned  at  the  sessions  for  petty  thefts,  was  five 
or  six  monthly.  And  that  7:3  a  year,  for  the  three  pre- 
ceding years,  had  been  sentenced  to  the  Penitentiary, 
and  one  half  of  that  number  for  the  second  and  third 
offences.  It  was  therefore  evident  from  these  melan- 
choly facts,  that  motives  of  public  good,  as  well  as  of 
priv  ate  benevolence,  called  loudly  for  the  devising  of 
some  means  by  which  this  great  and  growing  evil 
might  be  remedied. 

Children  among:  us  were  becoming  accustomed  to 
the  admission  of  crime,  before  they  were  fully  aware 
of  its  iniquity.  The  moral  sense  became  hardened 
or  corrupted  almost  before  it  had  began  its  monitory 
admonitions.  Those  sensibilities  which  ever  cling 
to  the  first  season  of  life,  and  w  hich  are  as  well  the 
nurse  as  the  guards  of  virtue,  w  ere  cowered,  broken 
down,  and  destroyed  by  suffering,  degradation  and 
punishment;  when  dismissed  from  prison,  those 
wretched  culprits  had  neither  a  character, a  shelter, 
or  any  to  care  for  them.  As  perfect  derelicts,  they 
appeared  to  be  placed  beyond  the  pale  of  confidence, 
and  almost  of  commiseration:  debased  and  destitute, 
they  became  prepared,  from  the  very  hopelessness  of 
their  condition,  and  also  from  its  necessities,  to  make 
fresh  depredations  upon  society. 

May  it  not  be  asked,  w  as  not  the  public,  from  this 
very  course  of  treatment,  in  some  measure  accessary 
to  their  accumulated  guilt? 

The  arraignment  and  trial  of  children,  is  often  a 
mere  compliance  with  the  forms  of  law,  in  order  to 
produce  a  legal  conviction.  The  accused  themselves, 
are  usually  inattentive  spectators  of  the  formalities 
observed  in  their  respective  cases,  without  capacity 


76 


properly  to  comprehend  the  investigation  which  is 
taking  place;  or,  if  unjustly  accused,  to  assert  and 
demonstrate  their  innocence.  Even  when  guilty,  ju- 
rors have  strained  their  consciences  to  find  some 
ground  for  their  acquittal.  Their  youth,  their  help- 
less situation,  and  a  heartfelt  repugnance  to  consign 
them  over  to  the  common  herd  of  malefactors,  has 
often  plead  powerfully  and  successfully  in  their  be- 
half, when  truth  and  justice  exacted  their  conviction. 
Yet  this  acquittal  proved  no  salvation  to  them; 
again  left  to  join  their  dissolute  companions,  and  to 
unite  and  indulge  with  them  in  the  same  vicious  em- 
ployments, they  only  by  a  course  of  deeper  depravity, 
became  prepared  and  ripened  for  a  second  arraign- 
ment, without  the  hope  of  escaping  condemnation. 

If  we  follow  them  into  the  prisons  to  which  they 
are  consigned,  how  demoralizing  the  scene  which  that 
prison  discloses.  The  work  of  depravity,  began  when 
they  were  at  large,  here  progresses  with  a  more  than 
double  rapidity;  they  listen,  with  that  eager  curiosity 
which  belongs  to  their  years,  to  the  escapes  and  ad- 
ventures of  old  and  fearless  offenders,  admire  what 
appears  to  be  daring  and  chivalric  in  their  exploits, 
receive  and  treasure  up  their  advice,  and  when  en- 
larged, are  prepared  to  enter  with  them  upon  the  same 
course  of  bold  and  desperate  villainy. 

Reformation,  in  our  enlightened  day,  is  considered 
one  of  the  main  objects  of  punishment;  and  surely, 
towards  the  young,  it  can  be  the  only  legitimate  ob- 
ject: their  years  and  their  inexperience  forbid  the 
idea  of  making  them  the  subjects  of  retributive  justice. 
The  vengeance  of  the  law,  when  inflicted  upon  them 
as  a  terror  to  others,  is  altogether  misplaced,  and  has 
neither  vindication  for  its  justice,  nor  apology  for  its 
severity.  But  reformation  in  a  place  like  that  we 
have  described,  and  in  the  midst  of  such  associates, 
so  far  from  being  accomplished,  will  never  have  a 
beginning.  The  prison,  instead  of  becoming  the 
school  of  reform,  becomes  the  nursery  of  crime.  The 
place  where  bad  morals  are  taught,  bad  counsel 
given,  and  bad  examples  set.  Nothing  can  be  ex- 
pected from  such  a  system  of  retribution  but  the  in- 
crease of  crime,  and  the  accumulation  of  expense  for 
its  detection  and  punishment. 


77 


Indeed,  this  subject  cannot  be  placed  in  a  clearer 
point  of  light,  or  the  advantages  which  will  result  to 
the  state  from  a  separate  imprisonment  of  adult  and 
juvenile  offenders,  be  more  forcibly  illustrated,  than 
has  been  already  done  in  the  report  of  a  committee, 
of  the  Senate  of  this  state  to  that  body  at  its  last  ses- 
sion. To  this  committee  had  been  referred  the  peti- 
tion to  the  Legislature  from  the  managers  of  this  In- 
stitution, praying  assistance  from  the  state,  towards 
the  building  of  a  house  for  females,  and  which  was 
then  erecting,  and  also  an  annuity  of  eight  thousand 
dollars  towards  the  support  of  this  Institution.  The 
committee,  after  remarking  upon  its  utility  and  suc- 
cess, as  far  as  the  experiment  had  been  made  with  its 
limited  means,  observe :  44  Your  Committee  are  fully 
persuaded,  that  a  better  disposition  of  the  funds  of 
the  state  to  these  amounts,  could  not  be  made.  If  the 
House  of  Refuge  were  to  be  considered  merely  as  a 
place  where  so  many  children  may  be  rescued  from 
poverty,  reclaimed  from  the  haunts  of  vice  and  wick- 
edness, protected,  instructed,  and  reformed,  it  would 
be  a  charity  having  the  highest  claims  to  the  liberal- 
ity and  bounty  of  government.  But  when  viewed  as 
a  means  by  which  the  perpetration  of  crimes  will  be 
prevented,  and  the  increased  number  of  criminals, 
which  without  it,  the  state  would  be  obliged  to  sup- 
port in  our  state  prisons,  it  is  believed,  that  a  regard 
to  economy  alone  would  require  the  support  of  this 
Institution.  There  is  hardly  a  child  who  will  be  con- 
demned to  it,  who,  if  left  to  the  course  which  would 
bring  him  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  would  not  finally 
be  supported  by  the  state  as  a  convict.  The  evidence 
of  this  is,  that  a  very  large  proportion,  as  your  com- 
mittee have  been  informed,  and  as  they  believe,  who 
are  now  confined  in  our  state  prisons,  commenced 
their  career  in  crimes  when  they  were  children,  in 
the  city  of  New-York,  or  some  other  of  our  large 
cities.  One  person  in  particular,  who  is  now  confined 
in  the  prison  at  Auburn,  was  first  convicted  when  he 
was  only  ten  years  old,  and  has  since  been,  at  dif- 
ferent times,  twenty-eight  years  a  convict,  supported 
by  the  state,  at  an  expense  of  not  less  than  two  thou- 
sand dollars.    This  case,  which  is  by  no  means  sin- 


73 


gular,  except  as  to  time,  shows  at  once  what  may  be 
the  advantages,  even  in  point  of  economy,  of  an  Insti- 
tution which  will  arrest  young  persons  in  their  pro- 
gress and  crime,  and  at  the  same  time  is  an  evidence 
that  confinement  in  the  state  prisons,  was  ill  calcu- 
lated to  produce  reformation  in  young  offenders."' 

But  apart  from  these  considerations  of  public  pol- 
icy, which  must  ever  condemn  as  inefficient  any  sys- 
tem of  punishment  which  tends  rather  to  increase  than 
to  diminish  the  evil;  we  are  called  upon  by  a  helter 
principle  to  forsake  a  system,  which  has  been  here- 
tofore pursued  towards  juv  enile  offenders,  hy  a  regard 
for  the  unfortunate  beings,  who  are  thus  early  made 
the  subjects  of  penal  retribution.  Their  youth,  their 
ignorance,  and  their  necessities,  appeal  to  our  best 
feelings,  and  beseech  us  to  spare  and  to  consider, 
while  we  compel  them  to  account  and  to  atone  for 
their  offences.  Let  them  be  arrested  in  the  career 
of  crime,  and  removed  from  the  haunts  of  wickedness: 
let  them  be  corrected,  restrained,  and  their  passions 
subdued  :  let  them  be  made  tractable  and  obedient. 
Towards  them  Seta  vigorous  course  of  moral  and 
corporal  discipline  be  observed  and  enforced  ;  but 
never  let  them  be  made  the  victims  of  the  law.  We 
can  have  but  little  commiseration  for  the  old  and  har- 
dened offender,  who  transgresses  both  against  know- 
ledge and  experience,  but  how  much  can  be  said  in 
palliation  of  him,  who  lacks  both  maturity  of  mind 
and  of  years;  who  has  no  judgment  within,  and  no 
friend  without  to  warn  or  to  controul  him:  who 
through  his  own  inexperience,  the  force  of  tempta- 
tion, and  by  the  enticements  of  others,  may  have  been 
completely  M  outwitted  and  betrayed  into  evil." 

And  shall  there  be  no  redemption  for  a  mind  thus 
led  astray,  no  separate  place  for  reflection  and  atone- 
ment? Shall  its  conscience,  freshly  awakened  and 
alarmed,  be  turned  over  to  the  derision  of  the  heart- 
less and  the  vile?  Shall  no  attempt  be  made  at  a 
time  like  this  to  make  a  lodgement  both  upon  its  feel- 
ings and  its  fears,  and  to  turn  its  shame  and  contrition 
to  a  good  account  ? 

The  Chistian  Observer  contains  an  instance  of  the 
corruption  of  an  innocent  boy,  who  had  been  unjustly 


79 


imprisoned,  and  whose  principles  were  perverted  by 

the  pernicious  influence  of  his  prison  associates.  The 
case  is  extracted  from  a  work  entitled,  "An  Inquiry 
by  Thomas  P.  Buxton,  M.  P.  whether  crime  and 
misery  were  produced  or  prevented  by  the  present 
system  of  prison  discipline  in  England."  "  When  i  first 
went  to  Newgate,"  says  Mr.  Buxton,  "my  attention 
was  directed  by  my  companion  to  a  boy,  whose  appa- 
rent innocence  and  artlessness  had  attracted  my  no- 
tice. The  schoolmaster  said  he  was  an  example  to 
all  the  rest;  so  quiet,  so  reserved,  and  so  unwilling  to 
have  any  intercourse  with  his  dissolute  companions. 
At  his  trial,  he  was  acquitted,  upon  evidence  which 
did  not  leave  a  shadow  of  suspicion  upon  him  ;  but 
lately  I  recognized  him  again  in  Newgate,  but  with  a 
very  different  character.  He  confessed  to  me,  that, 
on  his  release,  he  had  associated  with  the  acquaint- 
ances he  had  formed  in  prison.  Of  his  ruin  I  can  feel 
but  little  doubt,  and  as  little  of  the  cause  of  it.  He 
came  to  Newgate  innocent ;  he  left  it  corrupted." 

The  same  work  also  contains  an  address  made  by 
a  man  condemned  to  death  for  murder,  at  Douay,  in 
France,  as  affectingly  illustrating  the  evil  of  mingling 
persons  of  all  ages  together,  in  a  common  place  of 
imprisonment.  "This  individual  requested  to  speak 
in  private  with  Mr.  Apert,  when  he  thus  addressed 
him:  4 1  await,'  said  he,  'the  hour  of  execution,  and 
since  you  are  the  first  person  who  has  visited  me,  I 
will  address  you  with  confidence,  and  conceal  from 
you  nothing.  I  am  guilty  of  the  dreadful  crime  for 
which  I  am  to  suffer;  but  from  my  infancy  my  parents 
neglected  me:  I  had  neither  a  moral  example  nor  a 
religious  education  :  I  was  abandoned  to  the  violence 
of  my  passions:  I  fell,  when  young,  into  bad  company, 
by  whom  I  was  corrupted  :  but  it  was  a  prison  that 
completed  my  ruin.  Among  the  persons  now  in  this 
apartment  are  several  boys,  who,  with  pain  1  observe, 
are  preparing  themselves  for  the  further  commission 
of  offences,  when  the  term  of  their  confinement  shall 
expire.  I  entreat  you  to  obtain  their  removal  into  a 
separate  ward,  and  snatch  them  from  the  contagion 
of  such  associates.    Believe  me,  sir — and  I  speak 


80 


from  bitter  experience — you  can  confer  on  those 
boys  no  greater  favor  !"* 

These  affecting  cases  prove  not  only  the  inefficiency 
of  this  mode  of  punishment,  but  the  deplorable  conse- 
quences which  must  result  from  mingling  together 
adult  and  juvenile  offenders.  They  urge  upon  us  with 
a  feeling  and  a  truth  which  cannot  be  resisted,  the 
absolute  necessity  of  providing  a  separate  place  of 
punishment  for  the  offences  of  the  young.  The 
young  offender  should,  if  possible,  be  subdued  by 
kindness.  His  heart  should  first  be  addressed,  and 
the  language  of  confidence,  though  undeserved,  be 
used  towards  him.  He  should  be  taught  that  his 
keepers  were  his  best  friends,  and  that  the  object  of 
his  confinement  was  his  reform  and  ultimate  good. 
If  he  is  made  to  believe  that  he  is  still  of  some  use 
and  value,  he  will  soon  endeavor  to  act  up  to  the 
character  which  is  set  upon  him.  Obedience  thus 
procured,  not  by  stripes,  but  by  a  reformation  of  his 
mind,  will  be  willing,  cheerful  and  lasting.  His  heart, 
which  had  been  closed,  and  become  almost  callous, 
by  a  consciousness  of  its  own  unworthiness,  softened 
by  this  course  of  treatment,  will  again  expand,  and 
made  to  hope  better  of  itself;  will  look  up  with  af- 
fection and  reliance  upon  those,  who,  with  so  much 
consideration  and  mercy,  have  tempered  its  punish- 
ment. 

The  minds  of  children,  naturally  pliant,  can,  by 
early  instruction,  be  formed  and  moulded  to  our 
wishes.  An  inclination  can  there  be  given  to  them, 
as  readily  to  virtuous  as  to  vicious  pursuits.  The 
seeds  of  vice,  which  bad  advisers  may  have  planted, 
if  skill  is  exercised,  can  yet  be  extracted.  Evil  habits, 
before  they  have  become  inveterate  by  long  indul- 
gence, can  be  entirely  changed ;  and  on  the  mind 
which  appeared  barren  and  unfruitful,  may  yet  be 
engrafted  those  principles  of  virtue  which  shall  do 
much  to  retrieve  the  errors  of  the  past,  and  afford  a 
promise  of  goodness  and  usefulness  for  the  future. 

If  we  look  into  the  bosoms  of  our  own  families,  how 


"This  is  extracted  into  the  Christian  Observer,  from  the  6th  Report  of  the  So-* 
eiety  established  in  England  for  the  improvement  of  Prison  Discipline,  and  for 
the  reformation  of  Juvenile  Offenders. 


81 


much,  in  respect  to  the  management  of  children,  will 
be  found  to  depend  upon  ourselves.  How  necessary 
to  guard  the  purity  of  our  own  conduct,  in  order  to 
preserve  the  purity  of  theirs.  How  closely  do  they 
watch  what  is  passing  around  them,  with  the  eye  of 
ardent  and  freshly  awakened  curiosity.  How  eagerly 
do  they  imitate,  not  only  what  is  meritorious  and 
praiseworthy  in  those  on  whom  they  are  dependent, 
but  even  their  foibles  and  their  peculiarities  of  char- 
acter. Theirs  is  not  the  period  of  correct  discrimi- 
nation, that  is  the  work  of  judgment,  and  belongs  to 
their  after  years.  If  models  of  correct  and  virtuous 
conduct  are  at  all  times  necessary  and  useful,  they 
are  especially  so  to  the  young.  The  tender  mind 
can  be  easily  made  not  only  to  comprehend,  but  to 
love  all  that  is  excellent  in  virtue  itself,  and  to  per- 
ceive the  advantages  which  will  be  obtained  from 
observing  and  obeying  its  dictates.  It  can  be  led  on 
step  by  step,from  one  degree  of  goodness  untoanother; 
improved  and  improving,  until  it  is  prepared  to  launch 
into  the  world, .with  sufficient  ability  to  encounter  and 
withstand  the  many  allurements  and  temptations  which 
shall  there  beset  it. 

These  little  vagrants,  whose  depredations  provoke 
and  call  down  upon  them  our  indignation,  are  yet  but 
children,  who  have  gone  astray  for  want  of  that  very 
care  and  vigilance  we  exercise  towards  our  own. 
They  deserve  our  censure,  and  a  regard  for  our  pro- 
perty, and  the  good  of  society,  requires  that  they 
should  be  stopped,  reproved,  and  punished.  But  they 
are  not  to  be  destroyed.  The  public  must  in  some 
measure  take  the  place  of  those  who  ought  to  have 
been  their  natural  guardians  and  protectors.  If  we 
are  parents,  and  look  to  our  own  children,  and  we 
know  not  what  vicissitudes  may  await  them  ;  how 
powerful  is  the  appeal  both  to  our  pity,  and  to  our 
protection ! 

If  it  is  possible  then,  let  those  children  be  saved. 
Let  their  unformed  minds,  now  dark  and  ignorant,  be 
made  glad  with  the  light  of  knowledge.  Let  their 
hearts,  as  yet  young  and  tender,  be  softened  by  a 
mercy  unexpected,  and  be  subdued  by  a  kindness 
which  before  they  had  never  known.  Let  their  voices, 

n 


82 


reclaimed  from  obscenity  and  profaneness,  be  raised 
in  grateful  thanks  to  those  by  whose  benevolence  they 
have  been  rescued  from  destruction :  and  beyond 
them,  to  that  Being  who  has  provided  a  refuge  for 
them  in  their  greatest  need. 

It  is  with  these  benevolent  designs  that  this  House 
of  Refuge  has  been  established  for  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents. It  is  here,  that  separated  from  vicious  com- 
panions and  pursuits,  by  a  judicious  course  of  re- 
straint, instruction,  and  employment,  their  dispositions 
are  ameliorated,  their  depraved  morals  corrected,  and 
their  idle  habits  changed.  This  has  not  only  been 
the  case  with  the  children  generally,  confined  in  this 
Institution,  but  has  been  signally  displayed  in  some 
who  were  termed  its  worst  subjects. 

Several  cases  of  this  nature  are  attached  to  this 
Report,  and  which  have  been  selected  from  a  Register 
which  is  kept  by  the  Superintendent,  and  in  which 
the  age,  offence,  disposition,  and  conduct  of  each 
child  in  the  establishment  is  regularly  noted.  We 
here  select  one  instance,  as  illustrative  of  the  refor- 
mation which  may  be  produced  by  a  course  of  steady 
discipline,  even  in  those  who  appear  to  be  the  most 
obstinate  and  depraved. 

"John  P — —  s,  aged  about  17  years,  was  born  in 
Boston :  his  father  being  dead,  his  mother  removed 
to  this  city,  and  remained  here.  He  had  no  oppor- 
tunity in  his  early  years,  of  acquiring  an  education, 
but  was  permitted  to  rove  the  streets,  and  to  form  such 
associations  as  he  thought  proper.  After  pursuing  a 
vagrant  course  of  life,  he  shipped  as  a  sailor  to  the 
West  Indies;  and  upon  his  return,  in  company  with 
some  depraved  boys,  committed  an  act  of  petit  lar- 
ceny, for  which  he  was  convicted,  and  sent  to  the 
Penitentiary  for  six  months.  A  short  time  after  the 
expiration  of  his  sentence,  he  was  again  taken  up,  for 
being  with  some  companions  in  the  cabin  of  a  sloop, 
for  the  purpose  of  stealing.  He  was  sent  from  the 
Bridewell  here. 

"  At  first  his  conduct  was  such  as  to  render  him 
almost  unmanageable.  He  evinced  a  settled  deter- 
mination to  escape  ;  in  which  he  once  succeeded,  but 
was  retaken.    Appearing  bent  on  his  purpose,  and 


83 


making  several  desperate  yet  ineffectual  efforts,  it 
was  found  necessary  to  apply  severe  and  continued 
punishments,  in  order  to  break  the  obstinacy  of  his 
spirit.  With  him,  the  discipline  enforced,  had  a  most 
happy  effect.  He  became  submissive  and  obedient. 
For  several  months,  he  conducted  himself  with  the 
most  unexceptionable  propriety;  he  was  frequently 
sent  on  errands  to  the  city,  and  which  he  discharged 
faithfully.  He  was  also  placed  as  a  guard  over  others, 
and  was  invariably  found  vigilant  and  impartial.  In 
July  last,  he  became  desirous  of  going  to  sea.  Con- 
sidering the  object  of  the  Institution  realized  in  him, 
his  request  was  complied  with,  and  he  was  indented 
to  a  respectable  ship  owner  of  this  city.  He  has  re- 
turned, after  a  voyage  of  three  or  four  months,  with  an 
excellent  character  for  good  conduct.  Such  was  his 
determination  not  to  be  influenced  by  bad  examples, 
that  upon  one  occasion  during  the  voyage,  the  master 
of  the  vessel  wras  obliged  to  punish  the  whole  crew 
for  some  flagrant  misdemeanor:  John  alone  was  ex- 
cepted: he  having  refused  to  participate  in  their 
vicious  conduct.'' 

It  will  be  remarked,  that  in  the  case  of  this  boy, 
corporal  punishment  was  used  to  subdue  his  vicious 
and  turbulent  disposition;  this,  by  the  rules  of  the 
Institution,  is  not  permitted,  unless  absolutely  neces- 
sary. Every  effort  is  first  made  to  influence  the  feel- 
ings by  mild  treatment,  and  it  is  only  when  this  fails 
of  its  effect,  that  recourse  is  had  to  harsh  and  severe 
measures.  The  most  judicious  means  the  Managers 
could  devise,  are  used  to  awaken  the  faculties  of  the 
children,  and  to  excite  a  proper  spirit  of  emulation. 
It  is  found  that  few  of  them  are  so  abandoned,  as  not 
to  be  operated  upon  by  shame,  or  that  cannot  be 
aroused  to  exertion  by  motives  of  ambition.  Wards- 
men  and  monitors,  selected  from  among  the  most 
orderly  and  best  qualified,  are  appointed  to  observe 
the  conduct  and  behavior  of  the  respective  classes  to 
which  they  are  attached,  and  to  see  that  they  keep 
their  persons  clean,  and  their  apartments  and  clothes 
in  good  order. 

The  children,  according  to  their  moral  conduct, 
are  formed  into  four  grades  or  classes,  each  grade 


84 


having  its  distinct  badge,  and  which  is  at  all  times  to 
be  worn.  As  those  in  the  lower  grades  improve  in 
morals  and  behavior,  they  are  advanced  to  the  higher, 
and  so  also  those  in  the  higher,  who  relapse  into  bad 
conduct,  are  transferred  and  degraded  to  the  lower 
classes. 

The  number  of  children  at  present  in  the  House, 
is  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  boys,  and  twenty-seven 
girls.  The  boys,  when  in  health,  are  kept  strictly 
employed  during  the  hours  appointed  for  labor,  at 
chair-making,  shoe-making,  tailoring,  brass  nail  man- 
ufacturing, and  silver  plating.  The  object  being  not 
only  to  keep  them  employed,  but  to  teach  them  some 
trade,  by  which  they  may  obtain  a  livelihood  when 
set  at  large.  Two  school  sessions,  of  two  hours  each, 
are  held  every  day;  at  which  times  the  children  are 
taught  reading,  writing,  arithmetic,  geography,  and 
book-keeping.  Eight  hours  in  each  day  are  allotted 
to  labor,  and  the  residue  of  their  time  to  their  meals, 
reading,  recreation,  and  sleep. 

At  night,  each  child  has  his  own  private  sleeping 
apartment,  which  is  properly  ventilated,  and  in  which 
he  is  locked  during  the  night,  and  is  required  after  he 
has  retired,  to  remain  silent.  The  only  guard  at 
night,  is  eight  of  the  reformed  boys,  who  each  stand 
their  regular  watch  of  one  hour,  and  this  guard  has 
been  found  sufficient  for  the  purpose  of  its  employ- 
ment. When  a  boy  by  his  disposition,  conduct,  and 
industry,  has  recommended  himself  to  the  notice 
and  approbation  of  the  Superintendent,  he  becomes 
eligible  to  the  office  of  guard,  and  is  also,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  visiting  Committee,  occasionally 
permitted  to  visit  his  friends  and  relatives,  in  company 
with  the  Superintendent,  or  one  of  the  Assistant 
Keepers.  These  indulgences  and  distinctions  are 
found  to  have  a  powerful  influence  on  the  morals,  in- 
dustry, and  conduct  of  the  children.  When  any  of 
them  become  trustworthy,  and  suitable  situations  are 
found  for  them  at  a  distance  from  this,  or  any  of  our 
large  cities,  they  are  bound  out  to  trades,  or  other 
suitable  employ-merits.  During  the  last  year,  twenty- 
three  boys  and  eleven  girls  have  been  thus  appren- 
ticed.   The  information  received  from  the  persons  to 


85 


whom  they  have  been  entrusted,  has  generally  been 
very  satisfactory;  complaints  have  been  made  but  in 
two  or  three  instances,  and  in  those,  the  misconduct 
could  be  traced  and  attributed  to  improper  associa- 
tions, which  they  were  permitted  to  form  in  the  places 
where  they  resided. 

The  girls  are  engaged  in  baking,  tailoring,  sewing, 
and  washing  for  the  Institution,  and  which  engrosses 
almost  the  whole  of  their  time ;  as  all  the"  clothing 
worn  by  the  children  is  prepared  in  the  house.  They 
are  visited  by  a  Committee  of  ladies,  whose  kind  of- 
fices are  employed  in  instilling  into  their  minds  the 
principles  of  virtue  and  piety,  in  inculcating  habits  of 
industry,  cleanliness,  and  strict  obedience  to  the  di- 
rections of  the  matron:  in  exciting  a  generous  spirit 
of  emulation  amongst  them,  and  in  rewarding  those 
who  have  distinguished  themselves  by  their  industry, 
neatness,  and  modest  behavior. 

The  Managers  cannot  sufficiently  express  theirjn- 
debtedness  to  those  ladies,  who  have  thus  with  so 
much  patience,  perseverance,  and  success,  devoted 
themselves  to  the  benevolent  objects  of  this  Institu- 
tion. The  female  delinquents,  addressed  in  that  sooth- 
ing and  persuasive  language,  which  so  peculiarly  be- 
longs to  their  own  sex,  have  appeared  to  be  sensibly 
impressed  with  such  kindness  and  condescension,  and 
have  evinced  sooner  than  was  expected,  a  change  for 
the  better  in  their  dispositions  and  deportment. 

In  general,  the  children  are  obedient,  and  conform 
themselves  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  the  house. 
No  death  has  yet  occurred  among  the  children,  which, 
as  many  of  them  were  sent  to  the  house  diseased,  is 
perhaps  the  best  evidence,  that  the  diet  and  regula- 
tions established  there  are  conducive  to  health.  Most 
of  the  boys,  w  hen  committed,  were  in  the  habit  of 
using  profane  language.  It  is  very  seldom  that  an 
expression  of  this  nature  is  now  heard,  even  in  their 
hours  of  recreation.  Their  minds,  before  they  were 
placed  here,  had  been  generally  suffered  to  run  to 
waste  for  want  of  proper  culture  and  education. 
Many  of  them  had  been  wanderers  about  our  streets, 
destitute  of  parents,  or,  w  hat  is  worse,  had  been  under 
the  influence  of  parents  worthless  and  depraved. 


86 

With  those  of  them  who  are  quite  young,  the  Su- 
perintendent has  not  much  difficulty.  They  stand 
chiefly  in  need  of  guidance  and  advice.  They  are 
soon  taught  habits  of  industry  and  obedience,  and, 
with  but  a  few  exceptions,  become  pleased  and  dili- 
gent in  their  employments.  The  most  untractable 
are  generally  among  the  oldest  of  them,  and  who  had 
become  more  hardened  by  a  longer  course  of  indul- 
gence in  vicious  pursuits. 

On  Sundays,  the  whole  of  them  attend  morning  and 
afternoon  service  in  the  chapel  of  the  Institution; 
where  a  discourse  is  delivered  to  them,  adapted  to 
their  years  and  situation,  and  suitable  advice  is  given. 
On  these  occasions  many  visiters  attend,  and  the  con- 
duct of  the  children  has  been  observed  to  be  remark- 
ably quiet  and  correct.  Having  been  taught  psalm- 
ody, they  principally  conduct  that  part  of  the  devo- 
tion, and  the  whole  scene  is  solemn,  impressive,  and 
affecting. 

Since  the  last  anniversary,  the  Managers  have  to 
deplore  the  loss,  by  death,  of  Robert  F.  Mott,  their 
late  valuable  Secretary.  To  those  who  knew  him 
well,  little  need  be  said  in  favor  of  his  worth.  He 
was  the  friend  of  the  friendless,  and  the  advocate  of 
the  poor.  Our  public  schools  found  him  diligent  and 
zealous  in  their  support  Unobtrusive  in  his  manners, 
yet  steady  to  his  purpose,  nothing  could  swerve  him 
from  the  path  of  duty,  or  divert  him  from  the  main 
object  of  his  life,  and  which  was  the  good  and  welfare 
of  his  fellow-creatures.  He  has  early  finished  his 
course  of  rectitude,  and  has  left  for  the  approval  and 
imitation  of  others,  a  bright  example  of  active  and 
disinterested  worth. 

It  will  be  recollected,  that  this  Institution  was 
started  by  the  bounty  of  individuals.  The  appeal 
which  was  made  to  cur  citizens  in  behalf  of  this  char- 
ity, was  met  with  a  warmth,  which  proved  how  deeply 
they  felt  the  necessity  and  propriety  of  the  applica- 
tion. Seldom  has  there  been  witnessed  among  us,  a 
more  generous  flow  of  feeling,  than  was  manifested 
upon  that  occasion.  Every  hand  appeared  to  be 
open  to  assist,  and  every  heart  responded  its  best 
wishes  in  favor  of  so  good  and  benevolent  a  work. 


O/ 

In  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  upwards  of  %  1 5,000  was 
subscribed  and  collected.  This  stream  of  benevo- 
lence has  still  continued  to  flow,  and  the  fund  from 
this  source  alone,  at  present  amounts  to  upwards  of 
$  19,000. 

With  this  fund,  the  Managers  commenced  their  op- 
erations. The  ground  at  present  occupied  by  the 
Institution,  was  liberally  granted  to  them,  for  that  pur- 
pose, by  the  Corporation  of  this  city.  The  Society 
at  the  same  time,  procured  from  the  General  Govern- 
ment the  relinquishment  of  its  interest  in  the  improve- 
ments which  had  been  made  upon  these  premises. 
This  was  obtained  for  the  consideration  of  six  thou- 
sand dollars,  two  thousand  of  which  the  Managers 
have  been  able  to  discharge. 

The  fund  which  private  benevolence  had  thus  be- 
stowed, though  munificent,  was  insufficient  to  provide 
suitable  buildings  and  conveniences,  for  the  unfortu- 
nate inmates  of  the  Institution,  or  to  permit  the  recep- 
tion of  many  others,  who  were  proper  subjects  for  its 
discipline.  An  application  was  therefore  made  to 
the  Legislature,  at  its  session  in  the  year  1825,  for  as- 
sistance. It  was  conceived  that  few  objects  could  be 
presented  to  them  of  more  public  interest  than  this, 
or  more  deserving  of  their  attention  and  patronage. 
The  application  was  zealously  approved  and  suppor- 
ted by  the  Executive  of  the  State,  and  met  with  the 
most  cordial  encouragement  from  both  branches  of 
the  Legislature. 

In  1825,  an  act  was  passed,  appropriating  $2000  a 
year,  for  five  years,  to  the  purposes  of  this  Institution; 
and  in  1826,  it  was  provided,  that  young  delinquents 
from  all  parts  of  the  state  should  be  received  into  it, 
and  a  source  of  revenue  was  provided  for  its  support, 
being  the  surplus  monies  which  annually  accrued  at 
the  Marine  Hospital,  after  defraying  all  its  necessary 
expenses.  The.  aid  from  this  source  will  of  course  be 
fluctuating,  as  it  must  depend  upon  the  amount  of  per- 
quisites annually  received  from  passengers  in  vessels, 
and  from  seamen,  and  also  on  the  expenditures  and 
wants  of  the  Hospital,  which  are  first  to  be  amply  pro- 
vided for  and  satisfied. 

The  Managers  believe  that  the  revenue  to  be  de- 


88 


rived  from  those  sources  will  not  defray  the  necessary 
expenses  of  the  Institution,  if  all  the  children  are  re- 
ceived which  the  present  buildings  can  accommodate. 
The  building  for  the  boys  can  receive  one  hundred 
and  forty,  and  that  for  the  girls  seventy  children;  and 
these  have  been  so  substantially  erected,  that  they 
will  need  but  little  expense  in  their  repair  for  many 
years.  But  to  support  the  whole  number  which  the 
house  is  capable  of  receiving,  will,  according  to  pre- 
sent calculation,  require  an  annual  income  of  at  least 
thirteen  thousand  dollars,  of  which  about  three  thou- 
sand dollars  may  be  obtained  from  the  labor  of  the 
children. 

The  Managers  believe  that  but  little  more  assis- 
tance can  be  reasonably  expected  at  present  from  the 
State,  or  from  individual  benevolence:  but  they  trust 
that  the  Corporation  of  our  City,  from  a  conviction  of 
the  great  use  and  importance  of  this  charity,  will  pow- 
erfully aid  their  endeavors  in  extending  its  benefits  to 
the  many  juvenile  delinquents,  who  yet  stand  in  need 
of  its  succour. 

The  managers  cannot  close  their  remarks  upon  this 
occasion,  without  expressing,  from  their  hearts,  the 
pride  which  they  feel  in  the  interest  which  our  State 
has  taken  in  the  improvement  and  the  welfare  of  the 
young.  The  great  appropriation  made  for  diffusing 
education,  while  it  secures  the  happiness  and  pros- 
perity of  millions,  will  prove  the  most  efficient  means 
for  the  preservation  of  order  and  prevention  of  crime. 

While  the  school  fund,  therefore,  ample  and  in- 
creasing, stands  a  proud  monument  of  the  character 
of  our  State,  the  present  Institution,  the  first  which 
has  yet  been  established  of  this  nature,  shall  continue 
a  lasting  memorial  of  its  benevolence. 

While  a  virtuous  education  is  extended,  without 
distinction,  to  the  children  of  all,  it  is  a  solace  to  the 
philanthropist,  that  even  those  who. have  been  con- 
sidered as  the  outcasts  of  our  species,  not  forgotten 
and  forsaken,  but  reclaimed  and  regenerated,  shall 
be  gathered  to  the  fold,  and  the  whole,  as  far  as  the 
infirmities  of  our  nature  will  permit,  under  the  blessing 
of  Providence,  be  formed  into  an  intelligent,  moral, 
and  religious  community. 


89 


STATEMENT. 

The  whole  number  admitted  into  the  House  from  the  commence- 
ment to  the  present  time,  is  220.  They  were  committed  from  the 
following'  authorities,  viz. 

From  the  Court  of  Sessions,  for  different  degrees  of  larceny,  36 

From  the  Sessions  at  Albany  and  Schoharie,  -  2 
From  the  Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States  to  await  his 

trial,   1 

From  the  Police  Magistrates  for  stealing  and  vagrancy,    -  88 
From  Commissioners  of  the  Aims-House,  for  stealing,  va- 
grancy, and  absconding  from  that  institution,         -       -  93 

Total,  220 

Of  this  whole  number  received  into  the  House,  83  are  the  chil- 
dren of  foreigners,  137  are  from  the  city  and  various  parts  of  the 
state. 

The  following  disposition  has  been  made,  viz. 


BOYS. 

Indented,   28 

Sent  to  the  Aims-House,   2 

Returned  to  parents,   11 

Absconded,        -       --       --       --  8 

In  the  House,    -------  125 


169 

GIRLS. 

Indented,  15 

Discharged,  being  of  age,  8 

Sent  to  the  Aims-House,  4 

At  present  in  the  Refuge  29 


51 


Total,  220 

Of  this  number,    48    never  have  been  confined  in  Bridewell, 

 ,   141    have  been  confined  there  from  1  to  7 

times, 

 ,    31    have  been  in  the  Penitentiary. 

Total,  220 

Of  those  who  have  been  confined  in  the  Penitentiary, 
20  have  served  1  term  of  2  to  12  months. 


3  "  2  "  amounting  to  12  months  each. 

1  «  2  44       "  24  " 

1  "  2  44       44  8  " 

1  "  2  "       u  8  " 

1  44  3  "       "  18  " 

I  a  3  44       "  21  u 

1  »  4  «       "  33  " 

1  "  5  "       a  36  " 
12 


90 


Of  the  28  boys  who  have  been  indented,  5  were  named  in  the 
last  Annual  Report. 

Of  the  15  girls,  4  were  named  in  the  last  Annual  Report. 

The  Superintendent  has  heard  from  all,  except  3  or  4  who  have 
left  the  House  lately ;  and  the  following  extracts  from  such  letters 
as  have  been  received  from  their  masters,  will  enable  us  to  judge 
as  to  the  success  of  our  labors,  and  the  encouragement  there  is  to 
persevere.  From  all  we  have  favorable  accounts,  except  3  boys, 
2  of  whom,  after  remaining  with  their  masters  for  a  short  time,  re- 
turned to  the  House.  One  of  these  was  discharged  nearly  300 
miles  from  the  city,  on  account  of  getting  intoxicated:  with  a  few 
shillings  in  his  pocket,  he,  in  three  weeks  honestly  worked  his  pas- 
sage back  to  the  House,  where  he  now  is  learning  a  trade.  The 
other  absconded,  being  unwilling  to  eat  with  the  blacks,  while  the 
laborers  sat  at  the  table  with  his  master.  The  third  boy  was  in- 
dented about  eighteen  months  since  as  a  mariner,  under  circum- 
stances of  expediency  ;  after  serving  about  six  months,  he  abscon- 
ded, and  has  returned  to  his  former  habits  of  stealing;  has  since 
been  in  the  Penitentiary,  for  a  six-month  term. 

ft  **** 

Extract  from  Letters  addressed  to  the  Superintendent,  during- 
the  year  1826. 

"Your  letter  is  now  before  me.  In  answer  to  your  inquiries  re- 
specting the  conduct  of  little  D  a,  I  can  assure  you  that  it  has 

been  such  as  to  merit  my  entire  approbation.  Excepting  for  or- 
dinary juvenile  errors,  she  has  not  given  any  cause  for  admonition. 
My  other  girl  will  probably  leave  me  in  the  spring,  and  if  I  could 
procure  another,  either  black  or  white,  that  possessed  the  same 
good  qualities  that  D  a  has,  I  should  deem  it  a  great  acquisi- 
tion, but  I  have  no  reason  to  expect  such  a  thing,  unless  I  should 
be  so  fortunate  as  to  get  another  who  had  been  instructed  and  dis- 
ciplined in  your  school."  E.  F. 

The  following  letter  gives  an  account  of  a  colored  boy,  the  tenth 
subject  received  by  us.  He  was  committed  as  a  vagrant,  aged  about 
thirteen  years.  He  said  his  name  was  Jo  :  did  not  know  how  old 
he  was,  nor  where  he  was  born;  did  not  know  that  he  had  a  fa- 
ther; he  believed  that  his  mother  was  in  the  Aims-House,  had 
never  been  at  school,  and  did  not  know  one  letter  from  another; 
used  to  steal  his  victuals,  when  he  could  not  get  enough  by  beg- 
ging.   In  short,  his  was  a  deplorable  case  of  ignorance  and  vice. 

"In  answer  to  your  letter  on  the  subject  of  Joseph  Refuge,  we 
find  him  possessed  of  better  abilities  than  I  at  first  anticipated,  but 
poorly  cultivated,  except  the  good  lesson  received  at  your  valua- 
ble institution.  Your  first  and  most  important  rule,  'Tell  no  lies,' 
he  is  not  apt  to  violate,  but  pays  less  attention  to  your  other  rule 
"Do  as  well  as  you  know  how.'  He  often  speaks  with  much  pleas- 
ure and  confidence,  of  whatever  you  said  to  him  as  being  right. 
Upon  the  whole,  we  think  much  of  Joseph,  and  hope  he  will  make 
a  good  boy."  D.  F. 

The  following  extract  gives  an  account  of  M.  A.  C.  a  girl  aged 


91 


sixteen,  who  was  mentioned  in  the  last  Report.  After  complaint 
of  her  indolence  and  carelessness,  the  writer  proceeds: — 

"Her  conduct  otherwise  has  generally  been  good;  she  seems  to 
possess  a  good  disposition,  although  her  temper  sometimes  discov- 
ers itself:  she  is  kind  to  the  children,  and  not  inclined  to  gad  about. 
We  hope,  that  before  her  term  of  service  expires,  her  conduct  will 
authorise  a  different  report,"  A.  D. 

"  S.  A.  K."  who  was  named  in  the  last  Report,  "  is  as  good  a 
domestic  as  I  can  ever  expect  to  have  in  my  family.  She  is  affec- 
tionate, respectful,  generally  obedient,  perfectly  honest,  and  makes 
satisfactory  improvement  in  whatever  branch  of  business  she  has 
been  instructed  in.  The  disposition  to  run  away,  which  she  man- 
ifested at  first,  has  entirely  subsided.  She  does  not  always  exhibit 
a  regard  for  truth,  and  is  dull  at  learning  her  book.  Her  obliging 
conduct  has  gained  her  much  esteem  in  the  neighborhood,  and  there 
is  a  fair  prospect  of  her  becoming  a  useful  and  respectable  woman." 

L.  W.  L. 

J.  G.  was  noticed  in  the  last  Report,  and  is  the  same  spoken  of 
in  the  body  of  the  Report,  as  the  seducer  of  young  females.  Since 
she  left  us,  she  has  uniformly  supported  the  character  given  in  the 
following  letter. 

"  It  is  with  great  satisfaction  I  can  say  that  Jane's  conduct  is  even 
better  than  we  expected  to  find  it.  Her  reformation  is  greater  than 
that  of  any  person  I  ever  knew.  She  has  not  formed  any  acquain- 
tance, and  is  very  attentive  to  her  business  :  her  time  soon  expires. 
She  is  about  engaging  with  a  missionary  who  moves  to  Ohio  in  the 
spring.  M.  C. 

The  following  letter  gives  an  account  of  a  girl  about  thirteen 
years  old,  taken  from  a  house  in  Bancker-street. 

"  I  am  pleased  in  being  able  to  state,  that  we  have  uniformly 
found  her  of  a  willing  and  obliging  disposition,  and  that  she  has 
proved  a  useful  inmate  of  my  family.  I  may  add,  that  I  feel  en- 
couraged with  the  prospect  of  her  becoming  in  her  riper  years,  an 
intelligent  and  virtuous  woman.  She  frequently  speaks  of  the  kind 
treatment  she  received  from  the  Superintendent  of  the  Refuge." 

J.  C. 

Cooperstown,  Dec.  hih,  1826. 
"Dear  Sir, — Mr.  Scott  brought  the  little  girl  safe  to  us,  we  are 
very  much  pleased  with  her  thus  far,  she  answers  your  representa- 
tion in  every  respect.  She  is  amiable  in  her  disposition,  and  very 
industrious  -  appears  very  contented  and  happy,  and  it  will  be  our 
endeavor  always  to  make  her  so.  I  do  not  feel  disposed  to  lay 
myself  under  any  legal  obligation,  to  do  for  her,  more  than  is  spe- 
cified in  the  indenture  ;  but  should  she  continue  to  manifest  the 
same  good  disposition,  the  same  industrious  habits,  and  serve  us 
faithfully,  not  prove  vicious,  nor  leave  us,  until  the  expiration  of 
the  time  for  which  she  has  to  stay,  I  shall  feel  myself  bound  in  con- 
science, to  do  well  by  her.  This  obligation  will  bind  me  as  strong 
as  any  other  whatever.  Mary  wishes  to  be  remembered  to  you 
and  Miss  Andrews— she  often  speaks  of  you  with  gratitude — she 
also  wishes  that  her  mother  might  be  infonned  of  her  safe  arrival, 
and  that  she  is  well  and  happy.  F.  T.  T. 


92 


SELECTION  OF  CASES. 

BOYS. 

W.  H.  O. — This  boy's  history  exhibits  one  of  the  most  striking 
instances  of  juvenile  depravity  that  we  have  on  the  records  of  this 
institution.  He,  at  the  early  age  of  nine  years,  commenced  his 
career  of  stealing,  and  with  the  assistance  of  some,  more  hardened 
and  older  in  crime  than  himself,  he  continued  it  for  three  years, 
with  the  most  undeviating  success. 

Of  his  short  life,  two  and  a  half  years,  in  three  separate  terms, 
have  been  served  in  the  Penitentiary,  besides  having  been  several 
times  in  Bridewell.  The  associations  he  formed  in  those  schools 
of  vice,  instead  of  reclaiming  him,  served  only  to  strengthen  his 
vicious  propensities,  and  at  his  discharge  from  them,  he  recom- 
menced his  depradatory  acts  with  renewed  skill  ;  in  short,  with 
him,  stealing  seemed  to  be  an  instinctive  principle. 

Thus  he  continued  until  the  establishment  of  this  institution. 
He  fortunately  became  one  of  its  first  inmates.  Upon  his  intro- 
duction, he  evinced  a  settled  determination  to  escape,  (in  which  he 
succeeded  three  several  times.)  The  most  rigid  treatment  was  for 
along  time  unsuccessfully  applied.  At  length  he  began  gradually 
to  yield  to  the  restraints,  and  submit  to  the  regulations  required  of 
him.  From  January  to  December,  1826,  he  so  far  improved  that 
we  considered  him  one  of  the  most  amiable  boys  in  the  House. 
The  person  who  contracted  for  his  services,  said,  that  his  attention 
to  his  work  was  such  as  to  afford  him  much  pleasure ;  that  he  was 
entirely  obedient,  agreeable,  and  active  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties. 

Conceiving  that  the  object  of  the  Institution  in  the  effect  of  his 
reformation  was  completed,  and  that  a  better  state  of  mind  could 
not  be  effected  in  William,  he  was  indentured  to  a  highly  respecta- 
ble mechanic  living  in  Connecticut.  Some  time  previous  to  his 
indenture,  he  was  asked  whether  he  would  everredarken  his  char- 
acter by  the  commission  of  crime,  if  selected  to  be  bound  out ;  his 
reply  was,  that  he  was  then  influenced  by  the  wicked  one,  but  that 
he  now  felt  his  mind  to  be  in  a  different  channel;  and  if  a  modest 
and  humble  deportment  for  several  months,  together  with  a  know- 
ledge of  his  frequently  practising  devotional  exercise,  are  proper 
criterions  by  which  to  judge,  we  feel  perfectly  safe  in  saying  that 
William  was  truly  an  altered  boy. 

Since  his  indenture,  a  very  favorable  report  has  been  received 
from  him. 

S.  T. — Aged  sixteen  years,  born  in  Paterson,  N.  J. ;  he  lost  his 
father  and  mother  when  quite  young,  after  which  he  was  left  to 
the  care  of  guardians,  who  neglected  him.  He  in  a  short  time 
acquired  a  degree  of  celebrity  among  his  companions  by  his  skill 
in  stealing  old  rope,  iron,  copper,  &c.  from  around  the  docks.  His 
career,  however,  was  made  short  by  the  superintending  care  of 
the  city  authority,  by  whom  he  was  committed  to  the  Aims-House 
as  a  vagrant.  He  twice  escaped  from  that  institution,  and  when 
retaken  the  second  time,  he  was  sent  here. 

Soon  after  his  commitment,  it  became  evident  that  the  discipline 
of  the  House  was  all  that  was  requisite  to  make  him  obedient. 


93 


After  conducting  himself  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  Superin- 
tendent, he  was  indented  to  a  farmer  in  the  country.  Since  his  in- 
denture, we  have  been  informed  by  the  gentleman  with  whom  he 
lives,  that  "  he  is  industrious,  attentive,  and  kind  ;  and  such  is  the 
state  of  his  mind  as  relates  to  religion  and  morality,  that  he  will 
reprove  his  men  for  using  profane  language,  in  a  prompt,  though 
modest  and  becoming  manner,  often  referring  to  the  precepts  he 
received  from  his  recent  friends." 

D.  B.  L. — Aged  fifteen  years,  born  in  New-York,  committed 
from  the  Police,  on  suspicion  of  having  stolen  a  shawl.  He  was 
brought  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Bancker-street,  and  for  some  months 
played  the  tambourine,  in  those  receptacles  of  vice  and  misery, 
the  dancing-houses  of  Corlears  Hook.  He  acknowledges  having 
stolen  some  few  articles,  but  denies  stealing  the  article  for  which 
he  was  sent  here.  From  the  time  he  was  committed  until  his  dis- 
charge, he  conducted  in  an  entire  satisfactory  manner.  In  Octo- 
ber, he  was  indented  to  a  respectable  gentleman  residing  about 
sixty  miles  north  of  this  city. 

L.  S. — Aged  about  sixteen  years,  born  in  Ireland ;  his  parents 
emigrated  to  this  country  about  eight  years  ago.  Hrs  father  has 
since  died.  His  education  was  entirely  neglected  by  his  parents, 
and  the  choice  of  his  companions  left  exclusively  to  himself.  He 
has  worked  at  several  mechanical  branches  of  business,  to  none  of 
which  his  restless  disposition  could  attach  itself.  He  was  commit- 
ted to  the  Refuge  in  March,  1825,  from  the  Police  Office,  for  steal- 
ing a  copper  kettle,  for  which  he  had  been  confined  in  Bridewell 
eight  days,  (and  where  he  had  been  four  times  before.)  The  char- 
acter of  a  notorious  thief  cannot  with  justice  be  attached  to  this 
boy,  though  he  had  been  a  habitual  pilferer  for  several  years. 
Upon  his  entry  into  the  House,  he  gave  no  evidence  of  a  disposi- 
tion palpably  wicked,  yet  he  was  a  source  of  much  trouble  to  the 
superintendent.  In  mischief,  he  was  almost  invariably  first ;  to 
the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  House  he  was  perfectly  indifferent, 
and  in  one  instance  he  absconded.  After  a  few  days  he  was  re- 
turned, severely  punished,  and  put  in  irons  for  forty-three  days, 
when  his  irons  were  taken  off.  In  December,  his  improvement 
was  so  great,  that  he  was  promoted  to  the  situation  of  night  watch 
and  day  guard,  the  duties  of  which  he  faithfully  performed  until 
July,  1826,  when  he  requested  to  be  sent  to  sea  :  his  request  was 
complied  with,  and  he  was  indentured  to  a  highly  respectable  ship 
owner  of  this  city. 

After  an  absence  of  three  months,  he  returned  to  the  Refuge  on 
a  visit,  stated  that  he  was  perfectly  contented  with  his  situation, 
and  that  he  had  often  reflected  while  at  sea,  that  instead  of  enjoy- 
ing the  blessings  of  liberty,  he  might  have  now  been  in  State 
Prison,  had  it  not  have  been  for  the  establishment  of  a  House  of 
Refuge. 

D.  S. — Aged  fifteen  years,  born  in  New-York.  His  father  died 
while  he  was  yet  an  infant,  his  mother  since  married  an  oysterman, 
now  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Bancker-street.  David  has  lived  with 
three  different  persons,  who  kept  oyster-cellars.  After  leaving 
them  he  returned  to  his  mother.  He  commenced  his  thefts  by 
stealing  wood  from  about  the  docks  ;  has  also  been  in  the  habit  of 


94 


stealing  old  junk,  copper,  &c.  He  has  been  three  several  times 
committed  to  Bridewell ;  the  last  time  for  stealing  a  copper  kettle 
in  company  with  the  foregoing  boy  :  it  was  for  this  offence  that  he 
was  committed  to  the  Refuge. 

He  was  at  first  very  refractory,  constantly  plotting  how  to  es- 
cape, and  endeavoring  to  persuade  others  to  accompany  him.  He 
was  for  some  months  treated  with  much  strictness :  from  June, 
1825,  to  February,  1826,  his  conduct  was  entirely  satisfactory.  At 
this  time,  an  opportunity  offering  to  give  him  an  advantageous  sit- 
uation, it  was  deemed  incompatible  with  the  object  of  the  Institu- 
tion to  detain  him  longer.  He  was  consequently  indented  to  a 
gentleman  residing  in  the  western  part  of  this  state,  who,  in  a  letter 
directed  to  his  mother,  two  months  after  the  date  of  his  indenture, 
says  he  has  much  reason  to  be  pleased  with  David's  conduct. 

J.  D.  S. — Aged  eleven  and  a  half  years,  born  in  New-York. 
This  child,  notwithstanding  his  extreme  youth,  has  committed 
many  errors.  He  was  first  led  to  the  perpetration  of  crime,  by  the 
persuasion  of  one  older  than  himself,  in  whose  company  he  stole 
many  articles ;  he  was  once  in  Bridewell  for  stealing,  and  was  fre- 
quently punished  by  his  parents,  but  to  no  effect.  He  was  com- 
mitted here  at  the  solicitation  of  his  father,  in  April,  1825.  He 
conducted  himself  with  uniform  propriety  until  October,  1826, 
when  he  was  returned  to  his  parents,  for  the  purpose  of  indentur- 
ing to  a  gentleman  who  was  instrumental  in  his  reformation,  and 
who  was  well  acquainted  with  his  disposition. 

Here  is  another  instance  in  which  the  preservation  of  a  child 
from  ruin  may  be  attributed  to  the  establishment  of  a  House  of 
Refuge.  Had  this  boy's  thieving  practices  been  permitted  to  de- 
generate into  a  habit,  they  doubtless  would  have  procured  for  him 
a  residence  in  our  State  Prison  or  Penitentiary,  where  the  object 
is  punishment,  and  not  reformation,  he  must  have  been  thrown  in 
the  company  of  old  and  hardened  offenders,  the  contaminating 
influence  of  whose  conversation,  would  eventually  have  banished 
every  virtuous  and  generous  sentiment  from  his  tender  bosom. 
What  reflecting  mind  but  must  admit  the  utility  of  such  an  institu- 
tion, and  what  generous  soul  but  would  contibute  to  its  support  ? 

G.  D. — Between  sixteen  and  seventeen  years  of  age,  born  in 
New-York.  He  had  been  sentenced  to  the  Penitentiary  for  petit 
larceny  for  six  months,  in  October,  1824.  At  the  expiration  of 
his  sentence,  in  April,  1825,  being  sick,  and  no  one  appearing  to 
take  charge  of  him,  he  was  sent  to  the  Refuge  by  the  Commission- 
ers of  the  Aims-House. 

His  conduct,  from  the  time  of  his  commitment  until  December 
ensuing,  was  uniformly  good.  He  was  at  this  time  indentured  to  a 
gentleman  residing  at  Poughkeepsie  ;  and  four  months  subsequent 
to  his  departure,  we  received  a  letter  from  his  master,  giving  a 
very  satisfactory  account  of  his  behavior. 

GIRLS. 

M.  S. — Aged  sixteen  years,  was  committed  by  the  Police  on  the 
day  the  Institution  commenced  its  operations ;  for  the  first  sixteen 
months  of  her  confinement,  she  manifested  a  restless  and  uneasy 
disposition,  and  twice  was  successful  in  escaping,  but  was  re- 
taken. 


95 


After  this,  she  appeared  to  reflect  upon  her  former  conduct,  with 
regret,  and  gave  evidence  of  a  determination  to  reform.  Having 
conducted  herself  well  for  three  or  four  months,  she  was  indented 
to  a  clergyman  in  the  country,  from  whom  the  superintendent  has 
since  received  a  letter,  in  which  he  states,  that  he  is  very  much 
pleased  with  the  girl. 

M.  L.  B. — Aged  about  seventeen  and  a  half  years.  Some  few 
days  previous  to  her  indenture,  some  one  of  the  committee  hap- 
pened to  express  a  doubt  as  to  the  reality  of  her  reformation ;  this 
was  communicated  to  her  by  a  girl  who  heard  it.  She  said  nothing 
at  the  time,  but  quietly  commenced  her  apprenticeship.  In  a  letter 
subsequently  directed  to  the  Superintendent,  she  manifests  a  de- 
gree of  exultation  in  doing  well,  and  in  disappointing  those  who 
suspected  her  fidelity.  She  also  expresses  much  regard  and  friend- 
ship for  those  she  left  behind,  and  appears  very  grateful  "for  the 
good  advice  given  her." 

M.  A.  C. — Aged  seventeen  years,  born  in  New- York.  Is  an  or- 
phan :  was  committed  to  the  Refuge  in  January,  1825,  at  the  so- 
licitation of  her  aunt,  in  whose  charge  she  was  left  by  her  parents. 

After  having  been  but  three  months  here,  her  conduct  was  such 
as  to  gain  the  entire  confidence  of  the  Superintendent,  who  in  one 
instance  permitted  her  to  go  off  the  premises  in  search  of  greens  : 
after  having  been  absent  about  six  hours,  she  returned,  and  said 
she  had  been  to  see  her  friends  in  town ;  expressed  a  regret  that 
she  had  done  so  without  permission,  and  said  that  she  did  not  wish 
to  leave  the  House  until  the  Managers  thought  best.  From  this 
period,  her  conduct  was  very  good  until  April  21st,  1826,  when 
she  was  indented  to  a  gentleman  residing  in  the  central  part  of  the 
state.  Since  her  indenture,  we  have  received  letters  from  her,  ex- 
pressive of  her  entire  contentment. 

J.  A.  B. — Aged  between  sixteen  and  seventeen  years,  born  in 
Philadelphia,  father  and  mother  both  dead.  She  was  committed  in 
February,  1825,  for  stealing  a  few  articles  of  wearing  apparel  from 
a  person  with  whom  she  lived  as  a  domestic.  She  has  lived  at 
many  different  places,  and  has  been  in  considerable  bad  company 
for  about  one  year.  After  her  commitment,  she  was  almost  un- 
manageable. She  in  one  instance  escaped,  but  was  shortly  after 
retaken.  The  frequent  application  of  corporal  punishment  and 
solitary  confinement,  were  finally  successful.  After  giving  evi- 
dence of  a  change  of  feeling,  by  conducting  herself  with  uniform 
propriety  for  many  months,  she  was  indented  to  a  lady  living  a 
short  distance  from  the  city,  who  informs  us  that  she  wants  no 
better  girl. 

C.  W. — Aged  fourteen  years,  born  in  New-York,  of  Irish  pa- 
rents, who  now  keep  a  fruit  shop  in  this  city.  This  child  became 
a  victim  to  the  seductive  arts  of  a  villain  at  the  early  age  of  eleven 
years.  For  two  and  a  half  years  subsequently  continued  to  asso- 
ciate with  lewd  and  abandoned  women,  and  has  twice  been  in 
Bridewell  for  being  found  in  such  company.  She  has  also  been 
guilty  of  stealing  many  articles. 

She  was  brought  here  in  July,  1826,  at  the  request  of  her  father, 
for  leaving  his  roof,  and  frequenting  houses  of  ill  fame.    At  first 


96 

her  conduct  was  such  as  to  give  little  hope  of  reformation  :  she 
would  use  profane  and  vulgar  language,  was  disobedient  and  disres- 
pectful. She  was  soon  given  to  understand,  that  this  was  not  a 
place  in  which  she  could  indulge  in  improprieties  with  impunity, 
and  was  treated  as  her  conduct  deserved. 

After  about  two  months,  the  treatment  she  received  produced 
the  desired  effect,  and  she  became  directly  the  reverse  of  what  she 
before  was.  The  Matron  now  thinks  her  the  best  girl  in  the  House, 
and  says  that  if  she  offends  in  the  most  trivial  thing,  she  is  not  con- 
tent until  she  has  asked  and  obtained  forgiveness. 

Many  more  cases  of  both  sexes  could  be  selected,  but  it  is  pre- 
sumed that  those  mentioned  will  be  adequate  to  convince  every 
judicious  person,  that  the  House  of  Refuge  has  not  been  established 
in  vain  ;  and  our  subscribers,  that  they  have  not  contributed  their 
money  to  a  useless  purpose. 


97 


00  S?  00       3  S  V 

IC  °   KJ       •  tO 

rn  en  * 


—      "=3  ^ 

--i  » °  c  °  c  c 

P  o  c  ^SJGOOCQ 
hh  j§  E  E  o  = 

<:^£  gpg1! 

co  2  —  r--~2  ~  2 
■a  iL  ©*  c  -  -  i 
*  ft?  i  S.tsj 
acx^t^  =  S  - 

Cp  oa  »  -  3T  3  ~ 
hh""  •    3  *  "■« 

Sp    *>  *  j+  £  (fc 

3    P    2.   •     >§  HH 

5?  =25.  I  ■  o  e 

p  3  .  a" 

Hi;  I  If 

P  CO  CO  .  P  -  a 

•    P  ft.  2 

M  g      •  Z.  co  2 

if;  g  :  g> 


c  ^  c  o  c  c  c 


jr-  (0   «•   <  C  3 
CO  ^  CO  g:  -   -2  - 

3  — 


3  CO  « 
=   3  W 


§  i 

E? 
o* 


3-  C- 

2g 


E.  •  c 


(9  I  3 


w : 


0  3 
2.  ~ 


_  *5 

£  o  i 


si    —  J-  — 


'  3 
•  > 


1q 


to 

w  ox 
0%  —  ^»  —  -^r; 

X  12  Oj  IO 

=6** 

to  CO  to 
W  C  Ci  C  *k  o 
Cn                to  O 

ft* 

a 

CO 

© 

GC  Oi 

go 

cr.  co  co 

o  «S  w  to 

CO  (C 

t  nr 

P 
3 

00 
tO 

X 

fcsJ 
-J 

1827 
in.  1 

I 
rc 

~<  co"^  to  r  00  ^ 
—  tO  _  Cii  to 

.                 .                 —  W.4 

X 

— 

2  O  3  o 

5  3  p  3 

O     ^  ^ 


««?« 

o  C  .  o 
3  y.    .  v) 


CO 


'  C3 


12  J? 


c  -  • 
o  p 


«  c  •  P 


-  O 


co  rr 


00  o 

<J     o  o 

CO     o  o 

<o     o  ^  o 


p  ^ 
E-p 

1 3 

2  o 


o  _ 

3  2 

»  § 
»  C2 

2  < 

3  ~ 

9.2 

E".  C5 
N  O- 
CE  — 
3  C5 

in  cs 

$ 

c  c 


S 

Oi 


3 


-  ^ 


Oh 


o>. 

to 

§ 

Of 

05 


© 

Oh 

o* 


98 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE. 

Th«  Houses  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delinquents,  are  situated 
about  two  miles  north  of  the  City  Hall,  at  the  junction  of  the  Har- 
laem  and  Bloomingdale  roads,  on  the  ground  recently  occupied  by 
the  United  States  Arsenal.  A  more  convenient  or  eligible  situa- 
tion could  not  probably  have  been  selected.  The  lot  of  ground, 
320  feet  by  300,  is  enclosed  by  a  stone  wall  17  feet  in  height,  and 
more  than  two  feet  thick.  Within  this  enclosure,  the  Society  has 
erected  two  stone  buildings,  each  150  feet  in  length  by  38  in 
breadth,  and  two  stories  high.  One  of  the  houses  is  appropriated 
for  Boys,  the  other  for  Girls,  and  the  two  being  separated  by  a 
high  wooden  fence,  there  is  no  communication  between  them. 

The  first  story  of  the  Boys'  Refuge  is  divided  into  five  rooms, 
30  by  34  feet,  for  Dining  Room,  Common  Hall,  Superintendent's 
Office,  and  Tailor's  and  Shoemaker's  Shops.  Three  flights  of 
stairs  lead  into  the  second  story,  which  contains  a  Hospital,  30  by 
34  feet,  and  two  rows  of  Dormitories,  each  3|  feet  by  7,  and  6  feet 
high,  for  the  accommodation  of  132  boys  with  separate  rooms, 
each  of  which  is  well  ventilated  by  openings  in  the  rooms  and  stone 
wall.  Two  aisles,  10  feet  by  110,  are  used  as  School  Rooms,  and 
are  furnished  with  desks  and  benches,  suitable  for  the  monitorial 
plan  of  instruction.  The  Garret  is  one  large  room,  150  feet  by  34, 
and  may  be  occupied  when  required  as  a  work-room.  The  whole 
building  is  well  lighted  and  ventilated. 

The  Girls'  Refuge  is  finished  in  a  superior  manner  to  that  for 
the  Boys.  The  first  story  is  divided  into  four  rooms,  30  feet  by 
34,  for  a  Kitchen,  Dining  Room,  and  Work  Rooms.  The  other 
part  of  this  story  is  occupied  by  a  neat  Parlor  and  Chamber  for  the 
Matron,  a  Committee  Room,  and  a  Laundry.  In  the  south  end  of 
the  second  story  is  a  handsome  Chapel,  with  a  gallery,  sufficiently 
large  to  accommodate  140  boys,  70  girls,  and  300  visiters.  At  the 
north  end  is  the  Hospital,  25  feet  by  34,  and  the  intermediate  space 
is  occupied  by  two  rows  of  Dormitories,  furnishing  63  rooms  for 
as  many  girls,  which  are  also  ventilated  similar  to  the  Boys'  rooms. 
The  Garret  is  150  feet  by  34,  and  is  intended  for  the  stowing  of 
goods  and  drying  of  clothes,  and  may  be  used  as  a  work-room. 

A  two-story  brick  building,  40  feet  by  30,  situated  on  the  south- 
west corner,  is  occupied  by  the  Superintendent  and  his  family. 
Near  to  this  is  another  brick  building,  22  feet  by  60,  occupied  by 
the  Superintendent,  and  by  the  Assistant  Keeper  and  his  family. 
Adjoining  this  is  a  two-story  brick  Work-House,  40  feet  by  80,  di- 
vided into  four  rooms,  each  40  feet  square,  in  which  40  boys  are 
employed  in  the  chair-making  business. 

On  the  south-east  part  of  the  yard,  is  a  one-story  wooden  build- 
ing, 60  feet  by  14,  in  which  30  boys  are  employed  in  the  manufac- 
turing of  brass  nails  and  sadlery,  and  in  filing,  &c. — to  this  is  at- 
tached another  wooden  building,  used  as  a  foundry,  &c.  Near  to 
the  north  wall  is  a  wooden  building,  80  feet  by  18,  used  as  a  Bakery 
and  Store-House,  under  which  are  large  vaults  for  provisions, 
stores,  and  fuel ;  a  stable  and  carriage-hpuse  under  one  roof,  and 
some  small  out-buildings,  complete  the  establishment. 

A  part  of  the  ground  is  laid  out  into  kitchen  and  flower  gardens, 


99 


grass  plots,  and  gravel  walks.  There  are  four  wells  on  the  prem- 
ises, of  excellent  soft  water.  Adjoining  the  south  wall,  the  Soci- 
ety occupies  an  angular  piece  of  ground,  containing  about  one  acre, 
as  a  pasture. 

The  whole  aspect  of  the  establishment  is  cheerful  and  comforta- 
ble, and  it  has  little  or  none  of  the  appearance  of  a  prison. 

■»igiiin 

EXTRACT  FROM  A  REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE 
ON  EDUCATION. 

The  Sub-Committee  to  which  was  assigned  the  duty  of  providing 
the  books,  furniture,  &c,  required  for  the  schools  in  the  House  of 
Refuge,  Report — 

That  they  selected  the  east  and  west  aisles  of  the  second  story, 
as  most  convenient  for  the  purpose  intended  ;  and  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  this  important  part  of  our  system  having  been 
completed,  the  boys'  school  was  opened,  and  conducted  on  the 
monitorial  plan  of  education.  The  committee  have  frequently  vis- 
ited the  school,  and  Dr.  Griscom  has  repeatedly  delivered  familiar 
lectures  on  Natural  History  and  Natural  Philosophy,  which  have 
instructed  and  interested  the  children,  and  have  been  listened  to 
with  eager  attention.  We  have  no  design  to  convey  to  their  young 
minds  any  profound  instruction,  or  to  prepare  them  for  the  pursuit 
of  science  ;  but  the  intellectual  darkness  in  which  they  have  been 
involved,  and  the  difficulty  of  inducing  them  to  devote  the  requisite 
degree  of  attention  to  their  simpler  studies,  make  it  advisable  to 
combine  in  their  view,  the  ideas  of  study  and  amusement.  We  are 
persuaded,  that  if  such  lectures  were  more  frequent,  and  accom- 
panied with  simple  experiments,  very  beneficial  results  would  be 
discovered. 

The  Committee  purchased  a  library  of  476  volumes,  comprising 
History,  Voyages  and  Travels,  .Biography,  Fables,  Poetry  for  Chil- 
dren, Narratives  and  Anecdotes,  and  a  few  elementary  Treatises  of 
Science.  Those  boys  who  can  read,  avail  themselves  of  the  priv- 
ilege of  obtaining  books  from  the  library,  and  it  is  not  unusual  to 
observe  them  reading  at  table  when  their  meals  are  finished,  as 
well  as  during  their  leisure  hours,  and  particularly  on  the  Sabbath. 

Soon  after  the  girls  were  removed  into  the  new  building,  the  east 
aisle  of  the  second  story  was  appropriated  as  a  school  room,  under 
the  care  of  the  male  teacher,  when  he  is  not  engaged  with  the  boys. 
When  the  funds  of  the  Institution  will  warrant  the  expense,  and  the 
Female  Refuge  shall  contain  its  full  number  of  70  girls,  it  will  be 
proper  to  employ  an  assistant  Matron,  qualified  to  superintend  their 
studies. 

Agreeably  to  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  four  hours 
daily  are  devoted  to  instruction  in  each  house,  and  the  Committee 
have  the  satisfaction  of  stating,  that  the  Teacher  is  assiduous  in  the 
discharge  of  his  important  duties.  He  informs  us,  that  the  con- 
duct of  the  children  is  such  as  would  reflect  credit  on  any  well  reg- 
ulated school,  and  that,  in  general,  they  are  gentle,  studious,  and 
obedient,  and  with  few  exceptions,  are  anxious  for  the  arrival  of 
school  hours. 

Donations  of  books,  maps,  slates,  globes,  &c.  have  been  received 
from  individuals,  who  are  anxious  that  a  good  school  should  be  es- 
tablished in  the  Refuge. 


100 


The  following  are  among  the  books  used  in  the  schools — Tytler's 
General  History,  Histories  of  England  and  of  the  United  States, 
Park's  Chemistry,  Conversations  on  Natural  Philosophy,  American 
Speaker.  Brief  Remarker,  Introduction  to  English  Reader,  Mur- 
ray's Reader,  Popular  Lessons,  Scripture  Lessons,  Spelling  Books, 
Willet's  Arithmetic,  Hart's  Geography,  Daboll's  Book-keeping,  &c. 

One  hundred  and  twenty  six  boys  attend  the  school,  who  can  all 
read,  with  a  single  exception — 08  of  these  could  not  read,  and 
many  did  not  even  know  the  Alphabet,  when  they  were  committed 
to  the  House  of  Refuge — 70  now  write  on  paper,  and  56  on  slates  ; 
a  few  study  Geography  and  Book-keeping. 

Of  the  29  girls,  19  read  in  Scripture  Lessons,  and  10  read  and 
spell  in  the  Lancastrian  Lessons  on  boards ;  7  study  Geography 
and  Arithmetic,  14  write  on  paper,  and  15  on  slates. 

Each  School  is  supplied  with  Maps  on  large  and  small  scales, 
and  with  a  pair  of  13  inch  Globes. 

The  expenditure  has  been  $776  76,  viz. 

For  the  Library,  exclusive  of  donations,  -  -  $200  00 
For  Stationary,  Furniture,  &c.     -  576  76 

We  recommend  that  the  weekly  visiting  Committee  should  be 

requested  to  visit  the  Refuge,  during  the  school  session,  at  least 

once  in  each  week. 
December  16,  1826. 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  ADDRESS  TO  THE 
SUPERINTENDENT. 

Sunday,  July  2,  1826. 

By  request  of  the  Acting  Committee,  the  Managers  of  the  Soci- 
ety for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  assembled  at  the 
House  of  Refuge  this  day,  for  the  purpose  of  attending  public  wor- 
ship, and  of  transferring  the  superintendence  of  the  Institution  to 
Nathaniel  C.  Hart,  he  having  been  appointed  to  this  office  in  place 
of  Joseph  Curtis,  who  had  resigned. 

Many  visiters  were  present  upon  this  interesting  occasion.  After 
prayer,  and  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  John  Stanford  ;  the  President 
of  the  Board,  the  Hon,  Mr.  Colden,  delivered  the  following  ad- 
dress to  Mr.  Hart : — 

Sir, 

I  am  happy  to  address  you  on  your  assuming  the  Superinten- 
dence of  this  Institution.  We  know  that  you  have  left  an  estab- 
lishment where  your  services  have  been  pre-eminently  useful,*  and 
we  are  persuaded,  that  you  have  been  induced  to  change  your  situ- 
ation with  a  view  not  of  personal  advantage  only,  but  by  conside- 
rations of  public  benefit.  You  are  no  doubt  aware,  that  the  House 
of  Refuge  had  its  foundation  in  the  benevolence,  and  zealous  exer- 
tions of  a  number  of  your  fellow-citizens  ;  under  whose  guardian- 
ship, and  the  liberal  patronage  of  the  State,  it  has  assumed  its  pre- 
sent importance. 

Hitherto  it  has  answered  the  most  sanguine  expectation  of  its 
friends,  and  its  success  must  be  in  some  measure  imputed  to  the 
exertions,  industry,  and  good  conduc  t  of  your  predecessor.    He  has 


*  Mr.  N.  C  Hart  has  been  one  of  the  teachers  in  the  Male  High-School. 


101 


no  less  share  than  any  other  member  of  the  Institution,  in  its  or- 
ganization. While  we  receive  you  with  every  feeling  of  cordiality, 
and  with  perfect  confidence,  that,  under  your  administration,  the 
Establishment  will  continue  to  realize  our  anticipations,  we  cannot 
take  leave  of  him,  without  those  feelings  which  are  naturally  con- 
nected with  a  separation  from  a  worthy  brother  and  fellow-laborer, 
who  so  well  deserves  the  commendation  of  "Well  done  thou  good 
and  faithful  servant." 

The  children  you  will  have  under  your  care,  are  the  victims  of 
vice ;  not  always  resulting  from  their  own  depravity,  so  much  as 
from  the  negligence,  the  bad  examples,  and  very  often  the  precepts 
of  their  parents,  or  of  those  from  whom  their  immature  minds 
would  receive  character  and  impulse.  It  was  believed  by  the  foun- 
ders of  this  Institution,  that  many  of  these  might  be  reclaimed,  and 
instead  of  being  left  to  grow  in  crime  as  they  increased  in  years, 
that  their  young  minds  might  be  imbued  with  the  principles  of  vir- 
tue and  religion,  and  the  juvenile  delinquent  transformed  into  a 
virtuous,  religious,  and  industrious  citizen.  So  far  as  we  have  had 
experience,  we  are  warranted  to  believe  that  such  reformations  may 
be  effected.  If  not  in  all  cases,  at  least  in  such  a  proportion  as 
will  be  an  ample  reward  for  our  exertions.  But  our  success  can 
depend  on  nothing  so  much  as  upon  the  course  pursued  by  those 
who  may  fill  the  station  you  are  about  to  assume.  It  requires  great 
kindness,  great  patience,  and  great  firmness.  The  objects  of  your 
care  will  understand,  from  your  attention  to  administer  to  their 
wants  and  comforts,  both  in  sickness  and  in  health — from  your 
efforts  to  give  them  religious  as  well  as  moral  instruction — from 
your  making  them  industrious,  and  giving  them  the  means  of  gain- 
ing an  honest  livelihood,  that  you  have  no  motive  but  their  welfare. 
When  this  impression  is  on  their  minds,  respect  and  obedience  fol- 
low. If  unhappily  it  should  not,  then  punishment  must  be  inflic- 
ted. But  this,  with  you,  I  am  persuaded,  will  seldom  be  necessary,, 
and  will  be  a  last  resort.  It  requires  much  less  capacity,  much  less 
knowledge  of  human  nature,  to  govern  a  child  by  his  corporal, 
than  by  his  mental  feelings.  And  therefore  it  is,  that  the  former 
are  appealed  to  so  often,  and  frequently  so  injudiciously.  A  child 
may  be  made  quiet  and  industrious  by  beating,  but  it  seldom  hap- 
pens, I  believe,  that  kindheartedness,  morality,  and  intelligence  are 
induced  by  whipping.  There  can  be  no  worthy  sentiment  in  the 
apprehension  of  corporal  chastisement.  But  an  appeal  to  the  un- 
derstanding and  affections  will  generally  awaken  feelings  that  soften 
the  mind  and  elevate  the  character :  no  human  being  ever  gave 
himself  credit  for  doing  right  from  fear,  but  every  one  feels  a  self 
respect,  when  he  is  conscious  that  he  does  right  from  reason. 

There  may  be  however  instances,  and  they  are  most  likely  to 
occur  in  an  institution  of  this  nature,  where  the  painful  necessity 
of  resorting  to  punishment  is  inevitable.  In  such  cases  I  am  con- 
vinced I  need  not  say  to  one  of  your  experience,  that  their  efficacy, 
either  for  example  or  reformation,  must  depend  on  their  being  in- 
flicted with  firmness  but  with  temperance,  and  with  no  more  than 
a  just  severity. 

I  know  from  your  character  that  the  children  now  to  be  placed 
under  your  protection,  will  meet  with  every  indulgence  that  they 
can  claim.    If  any  caution  on  this  head  were  necessary,  it  would 


102 


be  that  they  should  be  so  treated  as  that  they  may  not  forget  that 
they  are  placed  here  for  their  misdeeds.  My  own  view  of  this  es- 
tablishment is,  that  it  should  be  kept  in  the  remembrance  of  those 
who  are  committed  to  our  care,  that  they  are  offenders  against  the 
laws  of  their  country,  that  they  are  in  a  place  of  punishment,  and 
that  that  punishment  is  confinement  and  labor,  from  which  they 
can  only  be  redeemed  by  a  continuation  of  good  conduct  that  will 
give  such  assurance  of  reformation,  as  that  they  may  be  trusted  to 
mix  with  society.  I  cannot  think,  therefore,  that  these  children 
are  to  be  treated  exactly  as  they  would  be  if  they  were  the  innocent 
inmates  of  a  college.  Were  they  to  be  treated  as  those  deserve 
who  are  pure  and  innocent,  they  might  be  led  to  think,  that  vice 
was  not  odious  to  mankind,  and  that  the  stain  of  crime  was  too  ea- 
sily obliterated. 

The  charge  that  you  have  assumed  is  an  arduous  one,  and  its 
employments  must  be  less  agreeable  than  others  in  which  you  have 
been  engaged ;  but,  I  am  persuaded,  you  will  find  encouragement 
and  reward  in  the  considerations  that  there  are  few  situations  in 
which  you  could  be  placed  where  you  would  have  it  in  your  power 
to  do  more  good.  The  consciousness  that  by  your  assistance  a 
number  of  your  fellow-creatures  are  rescued  from  perdition  ;  that 
the  child  who  was  hurrying  from  stage  to  stage  in  the  progress  of 
vice,  is  turned  to  the  paths  of  virtue,  and  instead  of  the  hardened 
adult,  becomes  the  virtuous  citizen,  must  be  a  gratification  not  often 
enjoyed.  But  it  is  not  only  the  individuals  who  may  be  here  that 
will  feel  the  advantages  of  this  Institution.  Society  at  large  has 
experienced,  and  will  continue  to  feel  its  benign  influence.  Al- 
ready has  it  greatly  diminished  the  number  of  juvenile  offenders, 
who  are  brought  to  the  bar  of  our  criminal  courts.  Formerly 
there  was  no  other  mode  of  disposing  of  these  than  by  sending  them 
to  the  Penitentiary,  or  to  the  State  Prison.  There  they  mixed  with 
old  and  hardened  offenders,  and  after  having  their  vices  confirmed, 
and  received  new  instructions  in  wickedness,  they  were  turned  from 
the  doors  of  the  prison,  without  character,  without  food,  and  with- 
out a  roof  under  which  they  could  claim  a  shelter.  What  resource 
had  these  abandoned  objects,  but  to  commit  new  crimes  ?  And  this 
they  did  with  the  less  reluctance,  because  often  they  had  not  been 
taught  the  difference  between  virtue  and  vice.  We  have  found  in 
several  instances,  that  children  were  encouraged  to  believe  that 
there  was  no  crime  in  stealing,  if  it  were  not  detected.  So  little 
sense  of  guilt  in  theft  do  we  find  in  some  children,  that  it  has  hap- 
pened, when  asked  how  they  came  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  they 
have  answered,  "by  begging  and  stealing,"  seemingly  without  any 
consciousness  that  they  were  making  a  shameful  confession. 

Were  other  considerations  wanting  to  excite  our  compassion  to- 
wards the  subjects  of  this  Institution,  and  to  stimulate  our  exertions 
to  maintain  it,  we  should  find  them  in  the  knowledge  we  have,  that 
so  manv  of  these  objects  owe  their  situation  to  the  want  of  that  pa- 
rental care  and  instruction,  so  necessary  to  plant  in  the  youthful 
mind,  and  to  cherish  the  seeds  of  virtue.  Many  of  these  that  are 
now  before  us,  have  been  orphans,  or  abandoned  by  their  parents 
from  their  earliest  infancy.  Often  a  child  wanders  to  this  wilder- 
ness of  vice,  from  some  remote  quarter  of  the  country.  Frequently 
an  infant  of  tender  years  is  left  in  our  streets  without  protection, 


103 


by  the  death  of  a  father  or  a  mother.  Some  who  might  have  been 
brought  up  virtuously  and  lived  happily,  had  their  natural  guardians 
been  spared  to  them,  have  no  other  recollection  of  their  parents 
than  is  impressed  on  their  minds  by  the  agony  with  wrhich  a  father 
or  a  mother  bid  them  an  eternal  farewell,  and  left  them  unprotec- 
ted, and  in  poverty  to  struggle  for  existence,  and  to  encounter  the 
temptations  of  the  wrorld. 

How  many  may  there  be  among  these  poor  orphans  whose  mother, 

"  Bent  o'er  her  babe,  her  eyes  dissolv'd  in  dew, 
"The  big  drops  mingling  with  the  milk  it  drew, 
"Sad  presage  of  its  woes  in  future  years! 
"  The  child  of  misery  baptis'd  in  tears." 

I  will  not  detain  you  further,  sir,  than  to  give  you  assurances,  that 
the  managers  of  this  institution  will  be  anxious  to  render  your  sit- 
uation agreeable,  and  that  you  may  at  all  times  rely  on  their  exer- 
tions and  co-operation  with  you  to  promote  the  objects  of  the  es- 
tablishment. 

N.  C.  Hart's  Reply. 

Sir, — 

Deeply  impressed  with  the  great  responsibility  devolving 
on  the  superintendent  of  this  important  Institution,  I  cannot  reflect 
on  the  confidence  you  have  placed  in  me  in  calling  me  to  succeed 
the  gentleman  who  has  so  ably  conducted  its  affairs  from  its  com- 
mencement, without  trembling. 

Children  without  parents,  some  of  them  worse  than  destitute, 
have,  by  your  fostering  hands,  been  snatched  from  infamy.  The 
world  indeed  is  gazing  upon  your  noble  charity,  while  the  commun- 
ity is  rejoicing  in  hope  of  your  success. 

The  weight  and  responsibility  tower  like  mountains  before  me; 
but  when  I  reflect  that  I  shall  have  your  wisdom  in  council,  and, 
I  trust,  the  directions  of  Him  who  prompts  you  to  these  praisewor- 
thy acts,  I  console  myself  that  I  shall  be  enabled  in  a  degree  to  be 
a  father  to  the  fatherless. 

Yes,  my  dear  children,  I  have  sons,  and  I  have  daughters,  and 
am  enabled  to  feel  for  you ;  and  often  in  my  dealings  with  the  chil- 
dren of  others,  solve  this  question  for  my  own  government, — 'How 
should  I  like  my  child  to  be  dealt  with  under  similar  circumstan- 
ces?' This  rule,  I  think,  shall  govern  me  here. 

As  to  government,  sir,  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  many  of  these 
children  only  require  to  know  my  wishes,  in  order  to  obey  them ; 
but  others  Will  require  to  be  more  closely  watched.  Virtue  shall 
be  rewarded;  while  vice  and  immorality  shall  be  promptly  attended 
to.  That  you  may  understand  my  views  on  this  subject,  I  would 
remark,  sir,  that  in  my  opinion,  the  most  benevolent  and  humane 
method  for  the  management  of  children,  is,  to  require  prompt  and 
implicit  obedience. 


104 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  GOVERNMENT 
OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE, 

ADOPTED  JAN.  2d,  1827. 

Requisites  which  the  House  of  Refuge  possesses  for  the  Reforma- 
tion of  Juvenile  Delinquents. 

1.  The  Means  of  Security.    6.  Allowance  of  Food  and 

2.  Inspection.  Clothing, 

3.  Classification.  7.  Space  for  Exercise  con- 

4.  Constant  Employment.  ducive  to  Health. 

5.  Religious  and  Moral  In-    8.  Separation  of  the  Sexes. 

struction.  9.  Attendance  upon  the  Sick. 

The  introduction  of  labor  into  the  House  of  Refuge,  will  be  re- 
garded principally  with  reference  to  the  moral  benefits,  and  not 
merely  to  the  profits,  to  be  derived  from  it.  If  the  employment 
should  be  unproductive  of  much  pecuniary  profit,  still  the  gain  to 
the  city  and  state  will  eventually  prove  considerable,  from  the  re- 
formation, and  consequently  the  reduced  number  of  offenders. 

Preference  will  be  given  to  those  trades,  the  knowledge  of  which 
may  enable  the  prisoners  to  earn  their  subsistence,  on  their  dis- 
charge from  the  House. 

acting  committee. 

The  Board  of  Managers  shall  choose  from  their  own  number,  an 
Acting  Committee,  consisting  of  seven  members :  one  of  whom 
may  go  out  of  office  monthly,  and  a  new  member  be  chosen  to 
supply  his  place. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  meet  at  least  once  in  each  month  at 
the  House  of  Refuge,  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  appoint  a  Sub-Committee  of  two,  to 
visit  the  House  of  Refuge  weekly,  one  of  whom  shall  retire  each 
month,  and  anew  one  be  appointed.  The  sub-committee  shall  re- 
cord in  a  book,  to  be  submitted  to  the  Acting  Committee,  such 
observations  on  the  cleanliness  of  the  House,  and  the  conduct  of 
the  officers  and  children,  as  may  seem  to  them  proper.  From  these 
records  summary  minutes  shall  be  made  by  the  Acting  Committee, 
and  laid  before  the  stated  meetings  of  the  Managers. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall,  at  every  meeting,  appoint  a  chair- 
man, for  the  time  being,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  appoint  all  Com- 
mittees, and  to  preserve  order  and  decorum  in  the  transaction  of 
business. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall,  out  of  their  number,  appoint  a 
Secretary,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  keep  regular  minutes  of  all  their 
proceedings,  and  to  notify  in  writing  the  appointment  of  all  sub- 
committees. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  be  empowered  to  appoint  an  Assis- 
tant, or  Assistants,  for  the  purpose  of  instructing  the  children  in  the 
House  of  Refuge,  in  any  work,  manufacture,  or  useful  employment, 
which  they  may  deem  expedient  to  introduce  into  the  House. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  be  authorised  to  apprentice  the 
children  out  to  suitable  persons,  under  regular  articles  of  indenture, 
and  to  enter  into  such  contracts  as  they  may  think  proper,  with 
any  person,  for  the  employment  of  the  children  in  any  work, 
manufacture,  or  trade. 


105 


The  Acting  Committee  shall  have  power,  by  a  majority  present* 
to  summon  special  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Managers  ;  specifying 
the  occasion  upon  which  they  are  summoned. 

ladies'  committee. 

•The  Managers  will  annually  appoint  a  Committee  of  13  Ladies, 
to  visit  the  Female  Delinquents,  and  to  advise  and  confer  with  the 
Matron,  relative  to  the  affairs  and  management  of  this  Department* 

This  Committee  of  Ladies  will  visit  the  House  of  Refuge  monthly, 
and  they  will  appoint  in  rotation  a  sub-committee,  of  two  of  their 
number,  to  visit  it  once  in  each  week,  to  inspect  the  Female 
Department,  to  excite  in  the  girls  a  sense  of  virtue  and  piety,  to  in- 
culcate habits  of  industry,  cleanliness,  and  strict  attention  to  the 
directions  of  the  Matron  and  the  Rules  of  the  House,  and  to  reward 
those  who  shall  distinguish  themselves  for  industry  and  good  con- 
duct. 

Minutes  will  be  kept  by  the  general  and  sub-committee,  in  a 
book  provided  for  that  purpose,  in  which  they  will  note  the  order, 
cleanliness,  and  improvement  of  the  girls,  and  make  such  sugges- 
tions and  remarks  as  they  may  deem  proper  and  useful.  Abstracts 
from  these  minutes  will  be  read  at  the  meetings  of  the  Acting  Com- 
mittee, and  a  summary  of  them  also  at  the  stated  meetings  of  the 
Managers. 

Should  vacancies  occur  in  this  Committee  by  death  or  resigna- 
tion, the  Committee  may  appoint  such  Ladies  as  they  shall  have 
previously  ascertained  will,  if  elected,  attend  to  the  important  duties 
devolving  on  them. 

SUPERINTENDENT. 

The  Superintendent  shall  have  the  general  superintendence  of 
both  male  and  female  departments  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  and 
shall  carry  into  effect  all  the  rules  and  regulations  adopted  by  the 
Acting  Committee  for  their  management  and  government. 

He  shall  keep  a  register  of  every  child  committed  to  his  custody; 
the  name,  age,  and  description  of  person ;  when  received,  by  whom 
committed,  on  what  charge,  when  discharged,  and  such  other  re- 
marks as  may  be  proper  and  useful,  including  a  brief  historical 
sketch. 

He  shall  keep  a  regular  account  of  the  expense  incurred  for  the 
keeping  of  the  children  placed  under  his  charge,  with  every  item 
properly  designated ;  also,  an  inventory  of  the  whole  personal 
property  within  the  House  belonging  to  the  Society,  and  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  same  may  have  been  disposed  of,  to  be  submitted 
to  the  Acting  Committee  every  year,  or  oftener  if  required. 

He  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  events  worthy  of  note  that  may 
occur,  daily,  during  the  recess  of  the  Committee,  and  submit  the 
same  for  inspection  at  every  meeting. 

He  shall  daily  inspect  every  part  of  the  Establishment  in  person, 
and  shall  not  absent  himself  from  the  Establishment  for  a  night, 
without  permission  from  the  Acting  or  Visiting  Committee. 

He  shall  exercise  the  authority  delegated  to  him  with  firmness, 
moderation,  and  discretion  ;  but  in  order  that  the  certainty  of  pun- 
ishment  may  deter  from  a  repetition  of  offence,  he  shall  permit  no 
offence  against  the  rules  to  pass  without  some  punishment,  except 
by  consent  of  the  Acting  Committee. 

14 


106 


He  shall  procure  such  supplies  for  the  Establishment  as  may  be 
directed  by  the  Acting  Committee. 

He  shall  not,  at  any  one  time,  allow  more  than  four  of  the  chil- 
dren to  be  absent  from  the  premises,  and  then  only  in  company 
with  himself,  the  Matron,  or  one  of  the  Assistant  Keepers,  who  are 
not  to  lose  sight  of  them  while  absent  from  the  Refuge. 

He  shall  have  the  direction  of  the  Assistant  Keeper  or  Keepers, 
in  all  matters  relative  to  carrying  into  effect  the  rules,  regulations, 
and  discipline  of  the  House ;  and  he  shall  be  responsible  for  their 
acts  and  conduct  while  on  the  premises,  and  in  the  employ  of  the 
Society. 

ASSISTANT  KEEPERS. 

The  Assistant  Keepers,  Teachers,  and  other  officers  and  ser- 
vants, shall  conduct  themselves  in  strict  conformity  with  the  rule3 
of  the  Establishment :  they  are  to  receive  their  orders  from  the 
Superintendent,  and  to  obey  his  directions.  They  shall  not  absent 
themselves  from  the  House,  without  his  permission. 

LABOR. 

The  Children  shall  be  employed  every  day  in  the  year,  except 
Sundays,  at  such  labor,  business,  or  employment,  as  may  from  time 
to  time  be  designated  by  the  Acting  Committee. 


A  LIST  OF    EMPLOYMENTS  THAT    MAY  BE  CARRIED   ON  IN  THE 
THE  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE. 
BOYS.  GIRLS. 


Tailoring. 

Shoe  Making'. 

Comb  Making. 

Pin  Making. 

Broom  Making. 

Basket  Making. 

Making  Rope  Mats. 

Cutting  Corks  and  Pegs. 

Oakum  Picking. 

Straw  Braiding. 

Twine  Making. 

Cutting  Skewers  for  Butchers. 

Folding  Sheets  for  Book-Binders. 

Sticking  Card  Teeth. 

Turner's  Work. 

Sash  Cord. 

Scratches  and  Wigs  for  Hair 

Dressers, 
Coopering. 


Cutting  out  and  Making  Wear- 
ing Apparel  for  Girls  and  Boys. 
Washing,  Ironing,  and  Mending 
for  Girls  and  Boys,  Plain 
Cooking,  and   House  Work 
generally. 
Plaiting  Straw. 

Making  Women's  Shoes  and 
Gloves. 

Knitting,  and  Needle  Work  of 
all  kinds. 

Spinning,  Weaving,  fyc. 

Folding  Sheets  for  Book-Bind- 
ers. 

Sticking  Card  Teeth. 


FOOD. 


The  Children  shall  be  fed  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  coarse, 
"but  wholesome  Food,  in  conformity  with  a  Dietary  to  be  estab- 
lished by  the  Acting  Committee. 


CLOTHING. 


The  children  shall  be  clothed  in  coarse  but  comfortable  apparel, 
of  the  cheapest  and  most  durable  kind.    The  cloth  to  be  of  a  uni- 


107 


form  color,  and  the  clothes  of  the  same  cut  or  fashion.  All  the 
clothes,  garments,  shoes,  &c.  must,  if  practicable,  be  made  on  the 
premises,  and  by  the  children. 

FEMALES  AND  MATRON. 

The  Females  shall  eat  their  meals  and  lodge  in  a  separate  build* 
ing  from  the  males,  with  whom  they  shall  have  no  intercourse  or 
communication,  except  at  family  or  public  worship. 

The  Females  shall  be  placed  under  the  immediate  care  and  su- 
perintendance  of  a  Matron,  or  Female  Keeper,  who  shall  reside  in 
the  House,  and  shall  at  no  time  absent  herself  from  the  premises, 
without  the  permission  of  the  Acting  Committee,  or  the  Superin- 
tendent. 

None  but  the  Matron  shall  search  or  examine  the  Female  De- 
linquents. She  shall  superintend  their  work,  and  take  charge  of 
the  clothes  and  bedding  of  the  Establishment.  She  shall  accom- 
pany the  Superintendent  or  Physician,  whenever  it  may  be  neces- 
sary for  either  of  them  to  visit  the  apartments  of  the  Females. 
She  shall  endeavor  to  unfold  to  those  under  her  charge,  the  advan* 
tages  of  a  moral  and  religious  life,  and  to  impress  them  with  a 
conviction  of  the  evils  and  miseries  that  attend  the  wicked  and 
profligate.  She  shall,  at  the  season  set  apart  for  the  purpose, 
teach  them  the  rudiments  of  education,  and  instruct  them  in  the 
business  of  Housewifery,  &c.  She  shall  be  authorised  to  punish, 
them  for  offences  against  the  rules  of  the  House,  or  for  indecorum 
in  their  behavior  towards  herself  or  one  another ;  and  she  shall 
keep  a  daily  record  of  the  occurrences,  and  regularly  report  to  the 
Superintendent,  such  matters  relative  to  their  deportment  and  con- 
duct, and  the  punishment  she  has  inflicted,  with  the  nature  of  the 
offence  committed,  as  will  be  proper  for  him  to  lay  before  the  Act- 
ing Committee. 

PUNISHMENTS. 

If  any  child  shall  refuse,  or  wilfully  neglect,  to  perform  the  work 
required  of  him  or  her,  or  to  obey  the  orders  of  the  Superintendent 
or  Matron,  or  Assistant  Keepers,  or  shall  use  profane  or  indecent 
language,  or  shall  assault  or  quarrel  with  a  fellow-delinquent,  or 
shall  make  a  noise,  or  talk  after  having  retired  to  the  sleeping 
room,  he  or  she  shall  be  punished  at  a  suitable  time ;  and  if,  after 
this,  such  child  persist  in  disobedience,  he  or  she  shall  be  confined 
in  solitude,  for  such  time  as  the  Superintendent  or  Matron  may- 
direct. 

If  any  subject  shall  strike  or  resist  the  Keeper,  or  attempt  to 
escape  from  the  House,  or  shall  wilfully  injure  any  article  belong- 
ing to  the  Society,  he  or  she  shall  be  punished,  except  the  same  be 
remitted  on  application  to  the  Acting  Committee. 

The  Superintendent  shall  possess  a  discretionary  power  in 
awarding  the  punishment  to  offenders.  He  may  try  offenders  by  a 
jury  of  their  peers,  and  inflict  such  punishment  as  they  shall  award, 
subject,  however,  to  his  revision.  He  shall,  in  all  cases,  enter  on 
the  daily  journal,  and  report  to  the  Acting  Committee,  a  brief  de* 
tail  of  the  offence,  and  the  punishment  inflicted  for  the  same. 

If  it  should  ever  be  necessary  to  inflict  corporal  punishment  upon 
females,  it  shall  only  be  done  by  or  in  the  presence  of  the  Matron* 


108 


KIND!?    OF    PUNISHMENT    THAT    MAY    BE   USED    IN   THE  HOUSE 
OF  REFUGE. 

1.  Privation  of  play  and  exercise. 

2.  Sent  to  bed  snpperless  at  sunset. 

3.  Bread  and  water,  for  breakfast,  dinner,  and  supper. 

4.  Gruel  without  salt,  for    do.         do.  do. 

5.  Camomile,  boneset,  or  bitter  herb  tea,  for  breakfast,  dinner, 
and  supper. 

6.  Confinement  in  solitary  cells. 

7.  Corporal  punishment,  if  absolutely  necessary,  or  if  awarded 
by  a  jury  of  the  boys,  and  approved. 

3.  Fetters  and  handcuffs,  only  in  extreme  cases. 

WARDSMEN    OR  MONITORS. 

The  Superintendent  may,  whenever  in  his  opinion  it  shall  be 
useful,  appoint  for  each  ten  or  more  children,  one  of  the  Delin- 
quents as  Wardsman  or  Monitor,  who  shall  be  selected  from  the 
most  orderly,  well  behaved,  and  best  qualified  for  the  purpose. 

The  general  duty  of  the  Wardsmen  shall  be,  to  observe  the  be- 
havior and  conduct  of  their  respective  classes ;  to  see  that  they 
daily  wash  their  persons ;  that  their  sleeping  and  work  rooms  are 
regularly  swept  every  morning,  and  washed  or  scrubbed  once  in 
each  week;  that  the  rooms  and  bedding  be  ventilated  and  aired, 
and  the  night  utensils  removed  and  cleansed:  and  lhat  decency 
and  good  order  prevail  throughout  the  class. 

The  Wardsman  shall  be  authorised  to  select  from  his  class,  in 
rotation,  one  of  the  number,  to  perform  the  duty  of  sweeping, 
scrubbing,  &c,  and  it  shall  be  an  offence  against  the  rules,  for  any 
of  the  class  to  disobey  the  reasonable  commands  of  the  Wardsman. 
He  shall  report  to  the  Superintendent,  any  improper  act  commit- 
ted by  a  member  of  his  class,  immediately  after  its  occurrence,  in 
order  that  it  may  be  corrected  forthwith. 

ARRANGEMENT   OF  TIME. 

A  Bell  shall  be  rung  every  morning,  one  quarter  of  an  hour  be- 
fore the  unlocking  of  the  lodging  rooms,  and  also  at  the  hour  of 
unlocking,  when  every  child  shall  be  prepared  to  leave  his  room, 
in  order  to  wash,  &c.  previous  to  going  to  work. 

The  time  of  beginning  and  leaving  off  work,  of  eating  breakfast, 
dinner,  and  supper,  of  attending  school,  and  of  retiring  to  sleep, 
shall  be  in  conformity  with  a  table  prepared  by  the  Acting  Com- 
mittee, and  each  time  shall  be  designated  by  the  ringing  of  the 
bell,  as  the  Superintendent  may  direct. 


A  TABLE  OF  THE  DIVISION   OF  TIME. 


•BBH9 

mm  sai 

CO 

:hool.  | 

g 

so 

ne  to  Rise 

CO 

Dinner. 

Supper. 

CO 

o 

.a 

to 
« 

Work. 

Work. 

School. 

of  Woi 

of  how 

& 

Q 

s 

% 

January, 

7 

1  o 

7* 

1  8 

12 

|  1 

4 

8    |  7 

3£ 

February, 

7 

u 

1  3 

12 

|  1 

4 

I  H 

I  8 

|7 

1  3i 

March, 

6 

7 

1  1h 

12 

|  1 

1  4 

IH 

1  8 

174 

1  3£ 

April, 

1  H 

1  T 

1  H 

1  12 

1  1 

M 

1  5 

1  8 

1  8 

1  4 

May, 

1  ^ 

1  7J- 

12 

|  1 

1  52- 

1  8 

\H 

1  4 

June, 

5 

H 

\1 

12 

|  1 

I  5 

1  52~ 

1  8 

1  H 

1  4 

July, 

1  5 

i  n 

l  ia 

1  H 

1  6 

1  8 

i  9 

1  3| 

August, 

1  5 

1  *i 

I  7 

1  7* 

1  12 

|  1 

1  H 

1  6 

1  8 

i  9 

1  3? 

September, 

I  H 

h> 

1  7 

I  n 

1  12 

\  5 

1  «H 

1  8 

I  81 

1  H 

October. 

1  6 

1  o 

1  7 

14 

1  12 

|  1 

1  H 

1  5 

1  8 

1  8 

1  3 

November, 

i  n 

1  o 

1  7 

1  »i 

1  12 

|  1 

1 4 

1  H 

1  8 

\n 

1** 

December, 

i 7 

1  o 

1  H 

1  8 

1  12 

|  1 

|4 

1  4^ 

1  ^2 

1  8 

\n 

1  » 

110 


The  half  hour  between  unlocking  and  work,  in  the  morning, 
shall  be  employed  in  washing  and  combing,  in  calling  the  roll,  and 
in  hearing  a  chapter  read  in  the  bible,  and  in  such  other  moral  and 
religious  exercise  as  the  Superintendent  may  direct. 

On  Sunday,  the  children  after  washing,  combing,  and  shifting 
their  clothes,  shall  proceed  to  the  school  or  lecture-room,  and  shall 
be  employed  as  in  Sunday  Schools,  until  the  hour  of  breakfast ;  af- 
ter which  they  shall  be  employed  in  the  same  manner,  until  the 
hour  of  religious  exercises,  and  so  throughout  the  day,  with  such 
relaxations,  as  the  Superintendent  may  order  and  direct. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

The  Boys  and  Girls  shall  be  classed  according  to  their  moral 
conduct,  and  as  soon  as  practicable  there  shall  be  four  Grades  or 
Classes  formed,  viz.  No.  1,  2,  3,  4. 

Class,  No.  1.  Shall  include  the  best  behaved  and  most  orderly 
Boys  and  Girls  :  those  who  do  not  swear,  lie,  or  use  profane,  ob- 
scene, or  indecent  language  or  conversation,  who  attend  to  their 
work  and  studies,  are  not  quarrelsome,  and  have  not  attempted  to 
escape. 

Class,  No.  2.  Those  who  are  next  best,  but  who  are  not  quite  free 
from  all  of  the  foregoing  vices  and  practices. 

Class,  No.  8.  Those  who  are  more  immoral  in  conduct  than  Class 
No.  2. 

Class,  No.  4.  Those  who  are  vicious,  bad  and  wicked. 

Badges,  bearing  the  number  of  each  class,  shall  be  worn  on  the 
arm  at  all  times  in  the  day. 

In  case  of  improper  and  bad  conduct,  the  children  in  Classes  No. 
1,  2,  or  3,  shall  be  transferred  or  degraded  by  the  Superintendent 
to  the  lower  or  lowest  Class.  And  for  improvement,  or  good  con- 
duct, in  Classes  4,  3,  or  2,  they  may  be  transferred  or  promoted  to 
a  higher  class. 

The  children  in  Class  No.  1,  who  behave  well,  and  are  orderly 
and  correct  in  their  conduct,  shall  be  rewarded  Monthly  by  the  Su- 
perintendent, in  the  presence  of  all  the  children,  and  of  the  Acting 
Committee. 

Those  children  who  have  behaved  well  for  three  months  in  suc- 
cession, shall  be  allowed  to  wear  a  badge  of  distinction  and  appro- 
bation. 

Extracts  from  such  parts  of  these  regulations,  as  relate  to  the 
several  classes  of  delinquents,  shall  be  printed  and  hung  up  in  sev- 
eral parts  of  the  House  of  Refuge. 

GENERAL  REGULATIONS. 

No  spirituous  liquors  shall,  upon  any  pretence  whatever,  (excep* 
ting  by  order  of  the  Physicians,)  be  brought  into  any  part  of  the 
premises  of  the  House  of  Refuge. 

No  species  of  gambling,  nor  of  plays  or  games  having  a  tendency 
thereto,  shall  be  permitted  at  the  House  of  Refuge. 

The  walls  and  ceilings  of  the  wards,  dormitories  or  sleeping- 
rooms,  and  passages,  used  by  the  delinquents  throughout  the  House 
of  Refuge,  shall  be  white-washed  and  thoroughly  cleaned  at  least 
twice  in  each  year ;  which  work  shall  be  done  by  the  delinquents* 
except  on  particular  emergencies! 


Ill 


Every  morning  the  school-rooms,  hospital,  work-rooms,  passa- 
ges, and  dormitories  shall  be  swept ;  the  pans  emptied,  the  dirt  and 
ashes,  and  all  filth  and  rubbish  collected  in  the  yard,  removed  to 
the  place  appropriated  for  the  same.  The  school-rooms,  work- 
rooms, and  sleeping-rooms,  shall  be  washed  once  a  week,  or  oftener 
if  requisite.  The  doors  of  all  the  sleeping-cells,  and  also  the 
windows,  when  the  weather  will  permit,  shall  be  kept  open  during 
the  day. 

The  bedding  of  the  House  shall  be  hungup  to  air,  whenever  the 
Superintendent  shall  require  it.  The  straw  in  the  Mattresses  shall 
be  changed,  and  the  corn  husk  Mattresses  scalded  and  washed  as 
often  as  the  Physicians  may  think  proper.  The  blankets  and  bed- 
ding shall  be  washed  frequently,  and  in  all  cases  clean  bedding  shall 
be  provided  for  every  new  delinquent. 

No  delinquent  of  any  description,  shall,  on  any  account  what- 
ever, be  confined  in  any  apartment  under  ground,  or  where  there 
is  not  sufficient  light  and  ventilation. 

Every  delinquent,  seized  with  any  disorder,  shall  be  forthwith  re- 
moved to  the  Infirmary ;  and,  in  case  of  any  putrid  or  infectious 
disorder,  to  the  Hospital.  The  dormitories,  from  which  he  or  she 
was  taken,  shall,  immediately  after  such  removal,  be  cleansed,  fu- 
migated, and  white-washed. 

Bibles  and  Testaments,  and  such  elementary  books  on  Natural 
History,  Juvenile  Biography,  Voyages  and  Travels,  as  may  be 
thought  necessary,  shall  be  provided  for  the  use  of  the  children,  to 
be  distributed  among  them,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Acting  Com- 
mittee. 

The  Superintendent  shall  present  all  written  applications  for  ap- 
prentices and  servants  to  the  Acting  Committee,  by  whom  they 
shall  be  approved  before  they  are  granted;  and  no  child  shall  be 
put  to  service  out  of  the  House,  unless  under  regular  indentures  from 
the  Society. 

A  Bible  and  printed  paper  of  advice  relative  to  his  or  her  future 
conduct,  shall  be  given  to  each  delinquent  when  so  apprenticed. 

The  term  of  the  apprenticeship  of  the  Girls  shall  not  extend  be- 
yond the  age  of  18  years  ;  they  shall  not  be  apprenticed  to  unmar- 
ried men,  nor  placed  in  boarding-houses,  or  academies  for  boys. 

At  every  Anniversary  Meeting  of  the  Society,  the  several  Boys 
and  Girls  who  have  been  apprenticed  by  the  Managers,  and  who 
shall  appear  at  such  Meeting,  in  a  clean  dress,  and  produce  a  writ- 
ten testimonial  from  their  master  or  mistress  of  their  good  beha- 
vior during  the  preceding  year  of  their  apprenticeship,  shall  receive 
a  reward  or  prize,  as  a  token  of  approbation  from  the  Society. 


112 


Officers  of  the  Society* 

CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President. 
STEPHEN  ALLEN, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 

JOHN  T.  IRVING,         /   Vlcc  Presidents. 
HENRY  I.  WYCKOFF, 
JAMES  LOVETT, 
RALPH  OLMSTED,  Treasurer. 
ISAAC  S.  HONE,  Secretary. 

House  of  Hefuge. 

NATHANIEL  C.  HART,  Superintendent. 
CHARLOTTE  E.  ANDREWS,  Matron. 
MONMOUTH  B.  HART,  Teacher. 
HENRY  MILLER, 

JOHN  MILLER,      \  Assistant  Keepers! 
P.  SHERLOCK,  Gate  Keeper. 

Managers, 

Stephen  Allen,       William  W.  Fox,    Hugh  Maxwell, 
Heman  Averill,-       John  Griscom,         Ralph  Olmsted, 
Arthur  Burtis,        James  W.  Gerard,  Fred'k  Sheldon, 
C.  D.  Colden,  John  E.  Hyde,        Peter  Sharpe, 

Isaac  Collins,  Isaac  S.  Hone,        John  Stearns, 

Robert  C.  Cornell,  John  T.  Irving,      Benjamin  L.  Swan, 
Samuel  Cowdrey,     Ansel  W.  Ives,        David  Stebbins, 
Joseph  Curtis,         James  Kent,  M.  Van  Schaick, 

Cornelius  Dubois,  James  Lovett,  Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 
Thomas  Eddy,  William  F.  Mott,  Samuel  Wood. 

Acting  Committee. 

Cornelius  Dubois,  Arthur  Burtis, 

Robert  C.  Cornell,  Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 

Isaac  Collins,  David  Stebbins, 

William  F.  Mott,  Wm.  W.  Fox. 

Ladies'  Committee. 

Mrs.  Ann  Shipley,  Mrs.  Ann  Warner, 


Martha  Willis, 
Charlotte  Fox, 
Sarah  Hawxhurst, 
Almy  Cornell, 
Alice  Townsend, 
Rebecca  M'Comb, 


D.  Embury, 
Maria  Hyde, 
Isabella  Buloid, 
Margaret  Prior, 
Maria  Colden. 


#*#  Donations  to  the  House  of  Refuge  will  be  thankfully  receiv- 
ed by  the  Officers  and  Managers  of  the  Society. 

The  payment  of  50  dollars,  or  of  10  dollars  per  annum  for  six 
years,  constitutes  a  person  a  member  of  the  Society  for  life ;  and 
an  annual  subscription  of  3  dollars,  a  member  so  long  as  it  is  con- 
tinued to  be  paid. 

A  complete  list  of  the  Donors  and  Subscribers  to  this  important 
Institution,  will  be  published  in  the  next  Annual  Report. 


THIRD  ANNUAL*  REPORT,  &c. 
1828. 

The  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation 
of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  in  commencing  their  Third 
Annual  Statement,  cannot  but  congratulate  the  Soci- 
ety, on  the  prosperous  condition  of  its  Institution,  and 
the  beneficial  results  which  evidently  flow  from  its 
operations. 

The  actual  condition  and  results  of  the  House  of 
Refuge  have  become  so  far  the  objects  of  public  in- 
quiry and  minute  examination,  as  to  have  furnished 
the  means  of  a  more  exact  appreciation  of  its  value 
as  an  establishment  of  charity,  and  a  moral  instrument 
in  the  community,  than  can  be  said  of  almost  any 
other  of  the  benevolent  institutions  of  our  state.  The 
principles  on  which  it  is  founded,  and  the  nature  of 
the  evils  which  it  is  intended  to  remedy,  have  been 
commented  upon  by  some  of  the  ablest  jurists  of  our 
country;  and  it  appears  to  be  conformable  to  the 
most  correct  views  of  human  nature,  and  to  the  sound- 
est principles  of  legal  justice,  that  in  the  infliction  of 
punishment  for  offences  against  society,  there  ought 
to  be  a  marked  distinction  between  juvenile  and  adult 
offenders; — that  the  treatment  of  each  class,  in  order 
to  be  the  most  effectual,  ought  to  be  distinguished  by 
those  discriminations  which  are  so  clearly  indicated 
by  the  natural  and  acquired  propensities  of  the  guilty 
in  these  different  periods  of  human  life; — and  that, 
with  respect  to  the  greater  number  of  youthful  offend- 
ers,— those  whose  offences  are  so  intimately  connected 
with  the  abandoned  situation  to  which  they  have  been 
exposed,  it  would  be  a  wide  and  grievous  departure 
from  moral  justice  to  condemn  them  to  a  life  of  suffer- 
ing, for  crimes  that  might  have  been  prevented  with 
less  expenditure  to  the  community  than  that  which 
must  unavoidably  be  incurred  in  the  infliction  of  the 
penalty. 

The  practical  recognition  of  these  principles,  in 

15 


114 


the  establishment  of  a  juvenile  penitentiary,  together 
with  a  knowledge  of  the  immense  degradation  of  cha- 
racter which  has  ensued  from  the  mixture  of  young 
and  old  convicts,  in  the  prisons  of  this  and  other  states, 
was  the  leading  motive  in  the  formation  of  this  Soci- 
ety ;  and  the  Managers  do  not  fear  to  assert,  that  the 
call  upon  their  fellow-citizens  and  the  legislature  for 
support  in  this  undertaking,  has  been  justified  to  the 
fullest  extent  in  the  progress  and  present  state  of  the 
House  of  Refuge. 

The  advantages,  abstractly  considered,  of  an  insti- 
tution of  this  nature,  have  been  so  fully  developed  in 
the  former  Reports  of  the  Society,  that  it  is  deemed 
unnecessary  to  insist  further  upon  them.  It  is  not 
among  the  least  of  the  gratifications  of  the  Society, 
that  its  efforts  have  gained  the  attention  of  the  Legis- 
lature, and  so  far  received  the  sanction  of  the  highest 
authorities  of  the  state,  as  to  justify  the  belief,  that  a 
juvenile  penitentiary  will  hereafter  be  regarded  as  an 
integral  part  of  those  institutions,  which,  from  a  due 
consideration  of  public  safety  and  benefit,  have  a  per- 
manent claim  to  its  protection  and  support. 

The  source  from  which  its  support  has  hitherto 
been  chiefly  derived,  under  the  authority  of  law,  has 
proved  to  be  fully  adequate  to  the  several  objects  to 
which  that  fund  is  destined.  This  fund,  it  is  well 
known,  accumulates,  mainly,  from  the  payment  of  a 
small  sum  by  each  of  the  emigrants  who  arrive  in  this 
state  from  other  quarters  of  the  globe.  Provision  is 
first  made  for  the  ample  maintenance  of  the  Marine 
Hospital  on  Staten  Island  : — and  few  persons  there 
are,  it  may  be  presumed,  who  will  assert,  that  a  more 
reasonable  and  fit  appropriation  of  the  surplus  could 
be  made,  than  to  the  reformation  of  juvenile  delin- 
quents, a  large  proportion  of  whom  are  the  offspring 
of  these  very  emigrants.  The  children  of  seamen  are 
also  as  likely  to  partake  of  the  benefits  of  the  Refuge, 
as  those  of  any  other  class;  and  the  pursuits  of  sea- 
manship under  judicious  captains,  are  considered  by 
the  Managers  to  be  a  fit  destination  for  those  of  the 
inmates  who  incline  thereto ;  and  it  will  be  seen  by 
the  reports  that  a  considerable  number  have  been 
thus  apprenticed. 


115 


There  have  been,  within  the  last  year,  ninety  boys 
apprenticed  by  the  Managers,  and  thirty-five  girls. 
About  thirty  of  the  boys  have  been  sent  to  sea,  prin- 
cipally on  whaling  voyages  from  Nantucket  and  New 
Bedford,  as  apprentices  to  captains  or  owners,  in 
whose  caie  and  guardianship  the  Managers  have 
reason  to  confide.  The  others  have  all  (with  one  pe- 
culiar exception)  been  placed  in  situations  more  or 
less  remote  from  this  city,  under  circumstances  favor- 
able to  the  formation  of  virtuous  habits,  and  to  an  en- 
tire change  of  old  associations.  The  masters  to  whom 
they  are  bound,  covenant  with  the  Society  for  giving 
them  a  suitable  share  of  school  learning,  and  for  their 
due  instruction  in  the  art  or  trade  in  which  they  are 
engaged. 

In  a. few  cases,  the  children  who  have  been  thus 
apprenticed,  have,  after  a  trial  of  their  new  homes, 
returned  to  the  Refuge,  disappointed  in  the  opportu- 
nities of  improvement  which  were  afforded  them,  or 
dissatisfied  with  the  treatment  they  received.  The 
cases  appear  to  have  been  very  few  in  which  the  mas- 
ter has  been  glad  to  relinquish  his  bargain  from  the 
continuance  of  depraved  habits  in  the  apprentice ;  but 
on  the  other  hand,  the  Managers  have  been  much 
gratified  in  the  information  received  from  various 
quarters,  of  the  good  conduct  of  those  who  have  been 
thus  disposed  of,  and  of  the  mutual  satisfaction  of 
master  and  apprentice.  As  this  is  a  point  of  vital  im- 
portance, and  the  intelligence  thus  obtained  affords 
an  unquestionable  evidence  of  the  tendencies  of  the 
House  of  Refuge,  it  will  not  be  deemed  improper  to 
introduce  in  this  place,  extracts  from  several  letters 
from  persons  who  have  taken  apprentices  from  our 
establishment. 

A. 

£#**#*  November  7,  1827. 

Dear  Sir, — I  received  your  letter,  dated  September,  inclosing 
an  address  to  G  .  I  am  much  pleased  to  find  that  the  Mana- 
gers of  the  Society  feel  such  a  deep  interest  for  the  happiness,  and 
are  so  solicitous  for  the  improvement  of  the  morals  and  habits  of 

the  children  from  under  their  care.  G.  was  much  pleased  with 

ihe  address  sent  him  by  his  friends,  containing  instructions  and  ad? 


116 


vice*  so  encouraging.  lie  keeps  it  as  a  treasure,  and  often  read's 
it,  as  though  lie  intended  to  adhere  to  the  instructions  of  his  much 
respected  friends. 

I  shall  comply  with  your  request  in  as  brief  and  plain  a  manner 

as  possible.    I  am  happy  to  say  that  G  's  conduct  has  been 

praiseworthy  since  he  left  the  House  of  Refuge.  If  he  continues 
as  faithful  as  he  has  been,  I  think  he  will  do  honor  to  the  Institu- 
tion :  he  is  a  very  industrious,  obedient,  and  trusty  boy  ;  I  have 
never  found  him  to  be  guilty  of  telling  an  untruth,  or  make  use  of 
any  bad  language,  but  he  reads  his  bible,  attends  public  worship, 
and  always  speaks  well  of  the  House  of  Refuge.  His  improve- 
ment in  learning  has  not  been  as  great  as  I  should  wish,  but  I  am 
in  hopes  he  will  improve  faster  with  longer  experience.  He  seems 
to  be  seriously  inclined,  and  we  endeavor  to  impress  his  mind  with 
the  necessity  of  religion. 

I  remain  yours,  &c. 

B.  B  . 

B. 

February  28,  1827. 
Dear  Sir, — Yours  of  the  3d  of  January  I  have  just  received,  in 

which  you  want  to  know  how  my  boy  (J.  H.  S  )  behaves; — 

he  has  spent  the  winter  at  school — his  conduct  as  yet  has  met  my 
entire  approbation.  You  will  communicate  this  information  to  Mr. 
Hart,  if  he  has  not  received  a  previous  letter  which  I  have  sent  to 
him  and  vou.  I  remain  yours,  &c. 

W.  B.  S. 

C. 

JV*##*#  October  19,  1827. 
Dear  Sir, — I  received  your  letter  on  the  17th  of  this  month, 

stating  that  you  would  esteem  it  a  favor  to  have  a  detail  of  R  's 

conduct.  With  pleasure  I  write  a  few  lines  to  inform  you  thatR. 
has  conducted  very  well ;  he  has  been  very  attentive  to  his  busi- 
ness, and  learns  as  fast  as  I  can  expect.  He  has  made  but  very 
few  acquaintances  since  he  has  been  with  me  in  this  place,  and  ap- 
pears to  be  very  well  contented,  and  has  no  disposition  to  run 
about  the  town  in  the  evening  as  many  boys  do.  He  assists  me  in 
keeping  my  books,  and  I  leave  him  the  charge  of  my  business 
when  I  am  absent.  On  the  whole,  I  have  found  him  honest  and 
industrious.  Yours,  with  respect, 

E.  C.  B. 

D. 

Jf*****,  TurnbuU  County,  Ohio,  September  17,  1827. 

Dear  Sir, — It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  report  to  you  the 
general  good  conduct  and  behavior,  since  his  residence  with  me, 
of  A.  V.,  the  young  lad  I  took  from  the  House  of  Refuge  in  your 
city,  about  twelve  months  since. 

I  have  discovered  in  him  no  vicious  habits  ;  he  is  faithful,  honest, 
and  industrious  ;  though  not  very  active  or  intelligent,  always  will- 
ing and  obedient,  even-tempered,  and  contented :  had  he  more 
sprightliness  and  activity,  he  would  be  a  most  valuable  boy.  I 

*  A  printed  Letter  of  Advice  from  the  Managers  is  given  to  each  child  on  leav- 
ing the  Refuge. 


117 


should  be,  however,  loath  to  part  with  him  for  the  chance  of  ob- 
taining a  better. 

Many  of  my  friends  in  the  vicinity  are  desirous  of  procuring 
lads  from  your  institution,  who  cannot  conveniently  personally  ap- 
ply for  them ;  could  arrangements  be  made  without  their  personal 
attendance,  several  persons  of  very  respectable  standing  in  this 
place  would  like  to  obtain  them. 

Your  institution  I  consider  of  the  first  order  amongst  the  nu- 
merous benevolent  and  humane  associations  of  the  present  day  to 
benefit  mankind,  and  as  such  entitled  to  public  and  individual  pat- 
ronage. Enclosed  I  send  you  five  dollars,  accompanied  with  my 
hearty  wishes  that  success  and  prosperity  may  attend  the  laudable 
exertions  of  yourself  and  associates  to  reclaim  the  youth  of  our 
country  from  the  paths  of  vice. 

Very  respectfully,  I  am,  Sir,  your  Obedient  Servant, 

L.  K. 

E. 

Y****town,  Ohio,  November  18,  1827. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  letter  of  September,  I  did  not  receive  until 
yesterday.  By  some  means  it  has  been  mailed  at  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
which  I  presume  occasioned  the  delay. 

In  answer  to  your  letter,  I  am  happy  to  state  to  you,  that  M  

V  ,  whom  I  took  from  the  House  of  Refuge  in  the  month  of 

October,  1826,  has  behaved  himself  as  well  as  any  boy  I  ever  saw. 
I  have  had  him  at  school  ever  since  I  brought  him  home.  He  is 
the  most  attentive  boy  to  his  learning  I  ever  saw,  and  his  instructer 
informs  me  that  he  is  the  most  attentive  scholar  he  has  in  his 
school.  I  am  also  pleased  to  state  to  you  that  the  impressions  he 
has  received  from  your  excellent  institution,  I  have  no  doubt,  have 
been  the  means  of  reclaiming  the  youth  M-  V  . 

My  intention  is,  if  he  remains  as  attentive  to  his  learning  as  he 
has  done,  to  make  a  scholar  of  him. 

Accept  of  my  best  wishes  for  the  success  of  your  excellent  insti- 
tution. I  remain  yours,  respectfully, 

W.  R. 

P.  S. — M  will  write  to  you  before  your  next  Report.  I 

shall  be  pleased  to  hear  of  the  success  of  your  institution  occa- 
sionally. 

AA. 

jP#******,  February  27,  1827. 

Respected  Friend, — After  a  full  trial  of  the  indented  little  girl, 

(C  D  ,)  which  I  procured  through  your  means  from  the 

House  of  Refuge,  we  have  great  reason  to  be  highly  pleased  with 
her.  As  she  was  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  so  she  is  beloved  by  the 
whole  family.  She  is  useful  and  attentive  in  all  the  kinds  of  busi- 
ness in  which  we  have  employed  her.  I  have  no  doubt,  that  with 
ordinary  care,  and  the  blessing  of  God,  she  will  grow  up  in  favor 
of  God  and  man. 

The  great  interest  which  you  take  in  this  interesting  institution, 
is  fully  deserved  by  its  undoubted  utility.  That  Providence  may 
long  continue  you  in  your  successful  career  of  practical  benevo- 
lence, is  the  sincere  prayer  of  your  friend, 

C.  D?  W. 


118 


BB. 

##**#**#  (Conn.)  October  27,  1827. 

Mr.  Hart, 

Sir, — In  compliance  with  the  request  contained  in  your 
circular,  thai  I  should  give  you  an  account  of  the  character  and 

conduct  of  E         M.  M  ,  a  girl  whom  we  received  from  the 

House  of  Refuge  in  March  last,  I  address  to  you  the  following 
lines.  In  answer  to  your  queries,  I  am  happy  to  inform  you,  that 
she  is  a  girl  of  good  disposition,  and  that  her  conduct  and  deport- 
ment have  been  such  as  to  meet  our  approbation.  She  is  a  very 
good  domestic,  faithful  and  industrious,  and  she  performs  expedi- 
tiously and  correctly,  the  various  duties  which  are  entrusted  to  her. 
She  goes  to  church  every  Sabbath,  freq  uently  reads  aloud  in  the 
Bible,  and  receives  moral  advice  and  instruction  from  myself  and 
from  Mrs.  P.,  which  we  hope  has  been  beneficial  to  her.  I  should 
have  written  to  you  sooner,  but  my  health  is  very  poor,  and  I  am 
not  able,  nor  have  I  had  an  opportunity  of  writing  before. 

Yours,  respectfully,  For  W.  P., 

W.  E.  W. 

CC. 

p##**#*###*#  October  18,  1827. 

Sir, — In  compliance  with  your  request,  and  my  promise  made 
last  spring,  I  proceed  to  give  you  an  account  of  the  deportment  of 

E  B  .    I  should  have  written  before,  but  thought  best  to 

delay  until  a  sufficient  time  had  elapsed  to  test  her  character ;  and 
it  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  say,  that  after  six  months'  trial,  1 
can  bear  testimony  to  the  correctness  of  her  conduct.  The  funda- 
mental rules  of  the  institution  over  which  you  preside,  appear  to 
be  indelibly  impressed  on  her  mind.  I  have  never  discovered  any 
deviation  from  the  truth  in  her,  and  as  to  the  work  allotted  to  her, 
she  performs  it  as  well  as  a  child  of  her  years  can  be  expected  to 
do,  and  expresses  her  gratitude  to  the  Managers  and  Officers  of  the 
House  of  Refuge,  for  their  interference  in  her  behalf,  and  being  in- 
strumental in  rescuing  her  from  a  vicious  course,  and  restoring  her 
to  a  virtuous  and  correct  line  of  behavior.  She  does  now,  and  I 
trust,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  will  continue  to  do  credit  to  that  best 
of  charities,  the  House  of  Refuge. 

It  must  be  a  source  of  much  gratification  to  the  Managers  and 
Officers  of  the  Refuge,  to  find  that  in  many  cases  their  benevolent 
efforts  have  been  crowned  with  success,  in  rescuing  delinquents 
from  the  abyss  of  vice,  and  restoring  them  to  the  paths  of  virtue. 
Wishing  every  prosperity  to  the  Institution,  and  temporal  and  eter- 
nal happiness  to  all  connected  with  this  invaluable  establishment, 
I  remain.  Sir,  your  Obedient  Servant, 

J.  V.  B.  V* 

As  an  exemplification  of  the  characters  of  the  youth 
who  are  the  subjects  of  the  Refuge,  including  those 
respecting  whom  the  foregoing  Letters  were  written, 
the  following  selection  is  made  from  the  books  of  the 
superintendent. 


119 


SELECTION  OF  CASES. 

BOYS. 

G.  W»  B. — This  boy  was  sentenced  here  from  the  Sessions,  foi 
being  connected  with  that  gang  of  youthful  depredators,  who  crea- 
ted so  much  public  excitement  by  store-breaking  in  the  latter  part 
of  last  fall.  He  was  put  to  work  in  the  Chair  department,  where 
his  industrious  and  quiet  disposition  soon  gave  the  Superintendent 
reason  to  believe  that  he  had  rather  been  a  victim  to  bad  example 
than  to  any  intrinsic  vicious  propensity.  After  continuing  in  the 
House  eight  months,  and  exemplifying  his  determination  to  do  as 
well  as  he  knew  how,  he  was  indented  to  a  respectable  mechanic 
in  West  Chester  County,  whose  account  of  him  is  given  in  the  pre- 
ceding letters.  (A.) 

M. — Aged  about  fourteen  years,  was  born  in  Ireland,  emigra- 
ted to  this  country  at  the  age  of  eight  years  ;  soon  after  which  his 
father  died,  leaving  his  mother  in  very  indigent  circumstances. 
The  boy  shortly  after  became  a  subject  of  the  Aims-House,  from 
which  institution  he  was  indented  to  a  painter  in  the  country,  who 
discharged  him  on  account  of  his  not  being  sufficiently  strong,  and 
gave  him  a  letter  to  Mr.  Burtis,  stating  the  reason  why  he  had  sent 
him  back.  M.  instead  of  returning,  destroyed  the  letter  and  ran 
away.  Having  no  home,  he  in  a  short  time  commenced  stealing, 
and  pursued  it  for  more  than  three  years  uninterruptedly.  His 
thefts  were  principally  confined  to  old  rope,  copper,  and  lead ;  but 
after  a  while  he  joined  the  gang  of  store-breakers  referred  to  in  the 
foregoing  case,  and  was  connected  with  them  in  entering  twenty-six 
stores.  They  were  all  arrested  excepting  M.  He  was  apprehen- 
ded in  the  course  of  three  months  for  stealing  two  dollars,  and  sent 
here  at  the  recommendation  of  the  Grand  Jury. 

From  the  information  the  Superintendent  had  previously  receiv- 
ed of  his  character,  he  anticipated  much  trouble  from  him,  and  in 
taking  his  examination  he  explained  to  him  the  object  of  the  insti- 
tution, and  told  him  that  if  his  conduct  merited  it,  all  his  former 
crimes  should  be  forgotten,  and  he  should  be  treated  kindly ;  but 
on  the  contrary  should  his  conduct  be  vicious  and  immoral,  he  might 
depend  that  it  should  meet  with  prompt  punishment.  This  lesson 
was  evidently  listened  to  with  attention.  He  went  to  work  indus- 
triously and  cheerfully,  and  continued  to  merit  the  approbatory 
smiles  of  the  Superintendent  as  long  as  he  continued  in  the  House. 
In  August  last,  he  was  indented  to  a  gentleman  in  Connecticut,  who 
subsequently  informs  us  that  M.  is  a  sterling  good  boy ;  that  he  is 
the  quickest  boy  in  the  neighborhood  at  doing  an  errand,  and  that 
he  is  perfectly  satisfied  with  his  situation. 

J.  H.  S. — Aged  about  sixteen  years,  was  sent  to  the  Refuge  in 
March,  1826,  from  the  Penitentiary,  to  which  place  he  had  been 
committed  some  few  months  previous  for  vagrancy.  His  conduct 
was  entirely  void  of  every  thing  of  a  flagitious  or  immoral  nature ; 
he  was  industrious  while  at  work,  and  in  his  private  deportment 
quiet,  peaceable,  and  inoffensive.  In  nine  months  after  his  admis- 
sion he  was  indented  to  an  opulent  farmer  in  Orange  County,  who 
after  the  lapse  of  a  sufficient  length  of  time  fully  to  test  his  conduct, 
writes  to  the  Superintendent  that  "John  has  spent  the  winter  at 


120 


school,  and  that  his  conduct  had  met  his  entire  approbation.''  (See 
letter  B.) 

R.  T.  C. — Aged  seventeen  years,  born  in  New-York,  of  very  re- 
spectable parents.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  his  father  put  him 
with  a  merchant  in  the  country,  where  he  unfortunately  contracted 
a  habit  of  pilfering  from  his  employer  ;  after  continuing  for  one 
year,  he  returned  to  this  city,  and  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  res- 
pectable dry-goods  store,  in  Pearl-street.  While  there  he  stole 
about  sixty  dollars  at  different  times,  in  sums  of  five  dollars  each, 
in  a  few  months ;  he  was  suspected  and  discharged.  His  father 
then  sent  him  on  a  voyage  to  Germany;  he  was  absent  five  months, 
returned  and  resuming  his  old  practices  of  stealing,  he  was  put  into 
Bridewell  by  his  brother-in-law,  for  stealing  a  merino  shawl  and 
sundry  jewels  from  his  wife.  He  was  tried  at  the  Sessions,  plead 
guilty,  and  was  sentenced  to  tlie  Refuge. 

After  being  in  the  House  some  few  months,  he  was  promoted  to 
the  class  of  honor,  which  station  he  soon  forfeited  by  a  misde- 
meanor. A  short  time  after  this,  he  attempted  to  escape,  but  was 
arrested  and  punished.  From  this  period  his  conduct  became  ex- 
emplary, and  he  seemed  determined  to  obliterate  the  remembrance 
of  his  past  misconduct,  by  his  future  good  behavior,  and  in  which 
he  was  entirely  successful. 

In  July,  1827,  he  was  bound  an  apprentice  to  a  mechanic,  in 
New-Jersey,  whose  account  of  him,  after  a  few  months  trial,  is 
given  in  letter  C. 

A.  V. — Aged  about  14,  born  in  New- York,  was  a  friendless  or- 
phan, entirely  destitute  of  a  home,  and  gave  himself  up  as  a  vagrant, 
and  at  length  desired  to  be  sent  to  the  House  of  Refuge.  Upon 
questioning  him  as  to  the  manner  in  which  he  had  spent  his  past 
life,  it  was  ascertained  that  his  parents  when  living  were  poor  and 
incapable  of  providing  for  their  children  ;  that  he  had  worked  alter- 
nately with  tobacconists  and  boatmen ;  he  had  never  stolen  any 
article  of  consequence,  but  had  commenced  pilfering  about  the 
markets,  whence  we  may  infer  that  he  would  too  soon  have  become 
an  adept. 

While  in  the  House  he  appeared  at  all  times  entirely  cheerful 
and  happy.  In  October,  1826,  he  was  bound  to  a  gentleman,  in 
the  State  of  Ohio,  who,  after  a  year's  trial  of  his  character,  speaks 
of  him  in  encouraging  terms.    (See  Let.  D.) 

B.  W.  R. — Committed  from  the  Police  in  November  1828.  His 
father  was  a  Counsellor  at  Law,  and  unfortunate  in  his  circumstan- 
ces. B.  was  sent  to  school  at  an  early  age,  and  continued  two  or 
three  years,  after  which,  he  accompanied  his  uncle  on  a  voyage 
round  Cape  Horn,  and  was  absent  about  eighteen  months.  When 
he  returned,  he  became  connected  with  some  vicious  boys,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  stealing.  From  his  grandmother  he 
stole  money,  in  small  sums,  a  number  of  books,  handkerchiefs,  &c. 
From  the  yards  of  several  people,  residing  contiguous  to  his  grand- 
mother's house,  he  stole  frequently  chickens  and  clothes.  He  was 
finally  detected,  in  stealing  cakes  from  a  store  in  the  Bowery,  and 
sentenced  to  the  Refuge.  After  conducting  himself,  with  uniform 
propriety,  for  half  a  year,  he  was  indentured  to  a  gentleman,  in  the 
State  of  Connecticut. 


121 


^fhe  reformatory  influence  of  this  establishment  upon  his  mind, 
the  following  anecdote  may  serve  to  illustrate.  B.  on  his  passage 
in  the  steam-boat,  up  the  East  River,  found  a  watch,  in  one  of  the 
private  rooms  of  the  boat,  belonging  to  a  passenger;  he  immedi- 
ately sought  the  captain,  and  delivered  it  to  him,  and  was  solicitous 
that  the  owner  might  be  found.  The-  gentleman,  to  whom  the 
watch  belonged,  struck  with  the  honesty  of  the  act,  was  led  to  in- 
quire his  name  and  residence.  This  gave  rise  to  a  very  interes- 
ting dialogue,  in  which  B.  evinced  a  degree  of  exultation,  in  having 
been  an  inmate  of  the  Refuge,  and  in  realizing  the  benevolent  mo- 
tives which  led  to  its  establishment. 

GIRLS. 

C.  D. — Aged  about  nine  years,  committed  in  April,  1825.  This 
little  girl  was  a  very  singular  case  of  youthful  female  depravity. 
She  had  been  in  Bridewell,  before  she  became  an  inmate  of  the  Re- 
fuge, for  stealing,  and  had  been  in  the  practice  of  pilfering,  from 
her  earliest  childhood.  After  having  been  confined  for  one  month 
in  the  Refuge,  she  was  returned  to  her  parents,  by  order  of  the  Act- 
ing Committee,  in  order  to  remove  some  private  unhappiness,  be- 
tween her  father  and  mother. 

Three  months  afterwards,  she  was  found  by  the  Superintendent 
in  Bridewell,  where  she  had  been  put  for  stealing,  and  returned  to 
the  Refuge.—  She  acknowledged  that  soon  after  her  discharge,  she 
ran  away  from  her  father's  house  and  offered  her  services  ts  a  wo- 
man at  Powles  Hook;  she  continued  with  her  three  weeks,  stole 
five  dollars,  absconded,  and  returned  to  the  city. 

She  enumerated  a  variety  of  articles  that  she  had  stolen,  with  as 
much  simplicity  and  apparent  innocence,  as  if  she  was  unconscious 
that  she  had  done  wrong. 

After  her  return,  it  was  frequently  necessary  to  punish  her  for 
falsehoods,  and  such  was  her  general  misconduct,  it  was  almost 
feared  that  she  was  incorrigibly  vicious.  She  continued  in  this 
course  for  many  months,  without  manifesting  any  evidence  of  are- 
formation;  but  some  time  in  September,  1826,  she  appeared  to  be 
a  subject  of  religious  excitement,  and  from  this  period  became  a 
new  girl ;  instead  of  an  untractabie  and  almost  unmanageable  dis- 
position, she  evinced  an  agreeable,  cheerful,  obedient  state  of  mind, 
which  endeared  her  to  all  who  saw  her. 

In  January,  1827,  she  was  indentured  to  a  reverend  gentleman, 
residing  in  the  central  part  of  this  state,  who  after  the  lapse  of  a 
few  months,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  one  of  the  managers,  speaks 
of  her  in  flattering  terms.    (See  letter  A.  A.) 

S.  I.  F. — Aged  about  seventeen,  committed  in  November,  1826. 
This  girl  was  the  daughter  of  pious  and  respectable  parents,  resid- 
ing in  the  central  part  of  this  state.  She  was  persuaded  to  come  to 
this  city  to  learn  the  mantuamaking  business,  by  a  female,  who, 
after  she  had  arrived  here,  introduced  her  to  a  house  of  ill  fame, 
where  her  inexperienced  youth  was  soon  persuaded  to  relinquish 
her  greatest  treasure,  for  the  glittering  vanities  offered  her.  She 
was  kept  by  a  young  man,  who  indulged  her  in  every  thing  she 

wished  for,  but  he  soon  died  and  left  S  friendless.    Soon  after 

this,  she  was  taken  by  Mr.  Hays,  and  sent  to  the  Refuge, 

16 


122 


She  acknowledged  that  she  never  experienced  a  moment's  har> 
piness,  while  living  in  the  haunts  of  vice,  and,  that  the  parting  ad- 
vice of  her  kind  mother  was  constantly  in  her  mind. 

Her  conduct  in  the  house  was  at  all  times  good ;  in  conversation 
she  frequently  spoke  of  her  lost  reputation,  with  the  most  poignant 
anguish  and  apparent  heart-felt  contrition. 

When  her  time  of  confinement  had  nearly  expired,  she  earnestly 
solicited  that  a  place  of  service  might  be  procured  for  her,  in  the 
country,  where  she  would  be  out  of  the  reach  of  the  persuasions  of 
her  former  associates,  and  where  by  her  future  good  conduct,  she 
might  create  the  forgiveness  of  the  past.  Her  request  was  com- 
plied with,  and  she  voluntarily  consented  to  bind  herself,  for  a  pe- 
riod of  one  year  over  the  general  time,  in  order  to  secure  the  situa- 
tion. 

Some  few  months  after  her  indenture,  we  received  from  her  mas- 
ter, a  very  flattering  account  of  her  conduct;  he  states  that  she 
is  a  good  and  industrious  girl,  and  that  he  is  much  pleased  with 
her. 

E.  M.  M. — Aged  fifteen  years,  committed  by  the  Commissioners 
of  the  Alms  House,  for  vagrancy.    Her  mother  kept  one  of  the 

brothels  of  Corkers  Hook,  and  E          resided  with  her.  With 

such  examples  and  associates,  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  she 
would  be  free  from  error — she  was  daily  in  the  practice  of  running 
the  streets,  and  associating  with  women  of  the  most  abandoned 
character.    Her  mother's  house  was  indicted,  and  she  and  her 

daughter  were  put  in  Bridewell,  from  which  place,  E  ,  was  sent 

to  the  Refuge. 

Her  conduct,  when  she  first  came  into  the  House,  was  such  as- 
was  anticipated ;  she  was  wild  and  indolent,  and  gave  the  matron 
much  trouble  ;  she  was  frequently  reprimanded,  and  in  one  or  two 
instances  punished.    After  a  while,  however,  the  discipline  of  the 

House  was  productive  of  the  desired  effect,  and  E  became  a 

very  good  girl.  For  the  last  six  months  of  her  residence  here,  she 
never  gave  the  matron  occasion  to  find  fault  with  her,  but  was  al- 
ways quiet  and  industrious. 

In  March  last  she  was  bound  to  a  gentleman  of  Connecticut,  who, 
in  the  ensuing  September,  furnished  the  statement  contained  in 
letter  BB. 

E.  B. — Aged  about  thirteen  years,  born  in  Liverpool,  (Eng.) 
The  predominant  propensity  of  this  girl  was  a  restless  disposition ; 
she  repeatedly  absconded  from  her  father's  house,  but  was  as  often 
found  and  taken  home. 

In  one  instance  she  ran  away,  and  was  taken  up  and  put  in  the 
Alms  House,  from  which  place  she  was  bound  out  on  Staten  Island, 
where  her  father  found  her  and  took  her  home;  in  a  few  weeks 
afterwards,  she  stole  some  articles  from  her  father,  and  again  ran 
away,  she  was  then  taken,  and  a  second  time  became  a  subject  of 
the  Alms  House,  from  which  place  she  was  sent  here. 

After  being  in  the  House  nearly  two  years,  she  was  indentured 
to  a  gentleman  residing  in  Dutchess  County.    (See  Letter  CC.) 

S.  A.  M'C. — Aged  about  sixteen  years. — At  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  she  was  put,  by  her  father,  to  live  with  a  woman,  who  kept 
&  eailof  boarding-house;  her  association  in  this  place  naturally 


123 


tended  to  the  corruption  of  her  morals,  and  after  continuing  three 
years,  she  quit,  and  became  a  prostitute.  She  had  been  living,  ia 
this  abandoned  course,  six  months,  when  she  was  arrested  by  the 
watchman,  for  being  very  noisy  in  the  streets,  taken  to  the  Police, 
and  from  thence  sent  here. 

Upon  her  entry  into  the  Refuge,  she  appeared  entirely  callous 
to  every  principle  of  shame  or  morality;  but  the  rigid  enforcement 
of  the  discipline  of  the  House  were  productive  of  a  happy  influence, 
in  correcting  her  vicious  propensities,  and  it  is  hoped  in  effecting 
her  entire  reformation. 

In  May,  1826,  she  was  indentured  to  a  gentleman  in  West  Ches- 
ter County,  who  after  sixteen  month's  trial  informs  us  that  S  

is  a  very  good  girl,  and  a  faithful  and  industrious  domestic. 

Numerous  other  cases  of  an  analagous  nature  might  be  related, 
but  it  is  believed  that  those  already  quoted  will  be  sufficient  to  sat- 
isfy the  public. 

STATEMENT 

Of  numbers  admitted,  destination,  §c. 

The  whole  number  of  subjects  received  into  the  House,  from 
the  commencement  of  its  operations  to  the  present  time  is  377, 
viz : — 

Boys  -  -   270 

Girls  -   107 

  877 

They  have  been  committed  by  the  following  authorities,  viz : — ■ 

From  the  Court  of  Sessions  42 

 U.  S.  Court  1 

 ■  Ballstown  Saratoga  Sessions  -  1 

 Albany  Sessions  8 

-   Schoharie  Sessions         -  1 

 Troy  Sessions  3 

 ■ —  Washington  Co.  Oyer  and  Terminer       -  1 

 Newburgh  Sessions  2 

 Police  of  this  City    -       -       -       -       -  122 

  Commissioners  of  N.  Y.  Alms  House 

■  Bridewell  - 


196 


  877 

Of  the  above  number,  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  are  the  chil- 
dren of  foreigners,  and  the  remaining  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  were  born  in  the  city  and  in  various  parts  of  the  adjacent 
states. — 

They  have  been  disposed  of  as  follows  : — 

BOYS. 

Indentured  115 

Sent  to  the  Aims-House,       -       -       -       -       -  4 

Returned  to  friends  14 

Deceased  -  -  -  .  -  -  -  -  .  -  1 
Of  Age         -  5 

Permanent  Escapes  6 

Now  in  the  House  123 

 270 


124 


GIRLS. 


Indentured  - 
Of  Age 

Sent  to  the  Aims-House 
Returned  to  friends 
Permanent  Escape 
In  the  House 


50 
3 
8 
2 
1 

38 


107 


-377 


Of  the  118  boys  Indentured,  28  were  included  in  last  Report. 

4  sent  to  Alms  H.  2   do.       do.  do. 
14    ret'd  to  friends,  11    do.       do.  do. 

5  perm't  escapes,    3    do.       do.  do. 

Of  the  50  girls  indentured,    15  were  named  last  year. 
8  of  age,  3    do.      do.  do. 

8  sent  to  AlmsH.  4    do.      do.  do. 

Of  the  whole  number,  109  never  have  been  in  Bridewell, 

225  have  been  there  from  1  to  7  times, 
43  have  been  in  Penitentiary  from  1  to  3 
times. 

The  boys  have  been  apprenticed,  as  follows,  viz 

Farmers, 


8  in  Putnam  County,  N.  York. 


1 

4 
3 
3 
14 
1 
1 
2 
1 


Queens  do. 
Saratoga  do. 
Delaware  do. 
Ulster  do. 
Dutchess  do. 
Livingston  do. 
Genessee  do. 
Steuben  do. 
Oneida  do. 


do. 
do, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


7  in  West  Chester  Co. 


Sullivan 

Orange 

Greene 

Clinton 

Somerset 


do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


N.  York, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


State  of  Connecticut, 
State  of  New-Jersey, 
State  of  Ohio. 


2  Assistants,  in  an  Oil  and  Candle  Store,  in  Nantucket,  Mass* 
2  Chair  Makers,  in  Syracuse,  Onondago  Co.  New- York. 
2  Paper  Makers,  in  New  Prospect,  New-Jersey. 
I  Potter,  in  Norwalk,  Connecticut. 
1  Weaver,  in  Poughkeepsie,  Dutchess  Co.  New-York, 

1  Cabinet  Maker,  in  West  Chester  Co.  New-York. 

2  Printers,  1  in  West  Chester  Co.  and  1  in  Suffolk  Co.  (L.  I.) 
2  Shoe  Makers,  1  in  Stamford,  and  1  in  Fairfield,  Con. 
2  Tanners  and  Curriers,  1  in  Orange  Co.  and  1  in  Somerset 

New-York. 
1  Tin  Smith,  in  Newark,  New-Jersey. 
1  Hatter,  in  West  Chester  Co.  New-York. 
1  Provision  Dealer,  in  the  city  of  New-York. 
4  Blacksmiths,  1  in  West  Chester  Co.  2  in  Nantucket,  and 

Dutchess  Co. 

35  Seamen,  5  for  European  voyages,  30  for  the  Nantucket  Whale 
Fishery,  in  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  on  long  voyages. 


Co* 


1  in 


125 


The  girls  have  all  been  indented,  as  domestic  servants,  in  the 
following  places : — 


2  in  Delaware  Co.  N.  York. 

10    Dutchess  do.  do. 

2  Wayne  do.  do. 

4  Steuben  do.  do. 

1  Courtlandt  do.  do. 

4  Rensselaer  do.  do. 

9  WestChesterdo.  do. 

1  Sullivan  do.  do. 


1  in  Ontario    Co.  N.  York. 

6  Ulster      do.  do. 

1  Jefferson  do.  do. 

4  Sussex      do.  do. 

3  State  of  Connecticut. 

I  State  of  New- Jersey. 

1  State  of  Ohio, 


Note.-— It  is  an  invariable  rule,  that  no  child  is  indented,  except  by  his  own 
Consent. 

From  the  foregoing  statement,  it  will  be  perceived, 
that  while  the  labors  of  the  Society  in  the  support  and 
management  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  are  affording  a 
local  convenience  to  the  city  of  New- York,  it  is  at  the 
same  time  acquiring  the  character  of  more  general 
usefulness  in  becoming  the  receptacle  of  youthful  con- 
victs from  other  parts  of  the  state.  In  proportion  as 
its  benefits  are  thus  perceived  by  the  courts  and  mag- 
istrates of  interior  counties,  the  necessity  will  arise  of 
more  extended  accommodations  than  the  present 
limits  can  supply.  The  house  for  boys  has  been  for 
some  time  past,  nearly  full;  and  some  restriction  is  of 
necessity  placed  on  the  number  and  character  of  those 
who  are  now  admissible  from  our  city  authorities. 
Whatever  may  be  thought  by  those  who  indulge  in 
cold  and  abstract  speculation  on  the  relative  amount 
of  good  which  this  or  any  other  benevolent  institution 
may  produce  upon  the  great  mass  of  our  population, 
there  cannot,  as  the  Managers  fully  believe,  be  a  doubt 
remaining  in  the  mind  of  a  sound  political  economist, 
of  the  meliorating,  protecting,  and  reformatory  influ- 
ence of  such  an  establishment  as  the  House  of  Refuge. 
Its  positive  effects  on  those  who  partake  of  its  coer- 
cions, its  persuasions,  and  instructions,  and  the  terror 
which  is  inspired  by  a  knowledge  of  its  incarcerations 
and  its  penalties,  all  tend  to  increase  in  the  minds  of 
our  youth,  a  sense  of  the  magnitude  of  crime,  and  to 
diffuse  throughout  the  neglected  and  misguided  por- 
tion of  our  juvenile  community  a  better  feeling  in  rela- 
tion to  their  social  and  moral  duties.  This  effect  is 
already  obvious  to  the  magistrates,  attornies,  and  of- 
ficers whose  duty  it  is  to  arraign  such  young  criminals 


126 


at  the  bar  of  justice.  Nor  ought  we  to  omit,  in  the 
enumeration  of  its  benefits,  the  important  fact  that  it 
strengthens  the  too  feeble  hands  of  parents,  (many  of 
whom  are  widows,)  over  their  ungracious  and  disobe- 
dient children,  furnishing  them  with  a  final  resource 
altogether  new,  and  almost,  altogether  exempt  from 
the  insuperable  objection  which  lies  against  the  com- 
mitment of  young  people  to  the  common  prisons. 

The  Managers  are  induced,  from  these  considera- 
tions, to  turn  the  attention  of  the  Society  and  the  pub- 
lic to  the  means  of  enlarging  the  sphere  of  their  ope- 
rations. One  hundred  and  Tbrty  boys  are  all  that  the 
present  buildings  can  accommodate.  Two  hundred 
and  seventy  is  the  whole  number  upon  which  the  in- 
stitution has  been  in  operation.  If  within  these  nar- 
row limitations,  advantages  so  decisive  have  resulted 
to  this  populous  city,  and  to  the  adjacent  counties,  as 
the  letters  and  other  cases  contained  in  this  Report 
clearly  prove,  what  might  not  be  expected  from  an 
adequate  extension  of  such  a  salutary  system  of  juve- 
nile reform  ?  That  it  would  eventually  diminish  the 
increasing  number  of  those  adult  convicts  who  crowd 
the  cells  of  the  state  prisons,  and  whose  established 
career  of  vice  is  generally  found  to  have  been  con- 
nected with,  and  preceded  by,  a  youth  of  neglect  and 
abandonment,  is  nearly  as  certain  as  that  effects  pro- 
ceed from  established  causes  in  the  moral  as  well  as 
in  the  physical  world. 

Buildings  adapted  to  at  least  double  the  number  of 
male  Delinquents,  may  on  these  accounts  become  de- 
sirable. Nor  are  we  so  enthusiastic  as  to  suppose, 
that,  with  a  population  so  rapidly  augmenting,  congre- 
gated from  so  many  parts  of  the  world,  and  comprising 
so  great  a  variety  of  character,  and  amidst  so  many 
sources  of  temptation  to  criminality,  the  utmost  exer- 
tions of  the  benevolent  by  this  and  all  other  modes, 
will  be  able  to  exterminate  vice,  or  remove  the  neces- 
sity of  penal  inflictions. 

[t  seems  obvious  to  the  Managers,  that  while  the 
New- York  Refuge  is  thus  interposing  its  shield  against 
the  devastations  of  crime  within  the  limits  of  this  me- 
tropolis, it  ought  to  be  the  timely  concern  of  magis- 
trates and  other  enlightened  citizens  in  the  interior 


127 


districts  of  the  state,  to  devise  the  means  of  erecting  a 
similar  institution,  in  some  one  of  the  most  populous 
or  central  places  within  their  confines.  We  shall  do 
no  more  than  make  this  suggestion,  indulging  the 
hope  that  it  will  in  due  time  meet  the  views  of  those 
who  are  competent  to  estimate  its  importance,  and  to 
give  it  all  the  efficiency  which  it  may  deserve. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  manual  opera- 
tions in  the  shops  of  the  Refuge  during  the  past  year. 

STATEMENT  OF  MANUFACTURES, 
Done  on  the  Premises,  from  January  1st,  1827,  to  Jan.  1st,  1828. 

IN  THE   SHOE  DEPARTMENT. 

1214  pair  of  Pumps  have  been  completed. 
4341       "     Pump  Uppers  closed. 

39       "     Boots  completed. 
4262       "     Boot  Legs  crimped  and  closed. 
1556       "     Brogans  and  Shoes  closed. 

IN  THE  CHAIR,  SHOP. 

9834  Cane  Seats  for  Plain  Frarnes. 
864     "       "    for  Maple  Frames. 
330     "       "     and  Backs  for  large  Arm  Chairs. 
132     "    Settee  Bottoms,  caned. 

IN  THE  BRASS  NAIL  SHOP. 


14976   M.  Brass  Nails. 

228  doz.  Bits, 

2196  pair  Stirrups, 

396    "  Holster  Tips, 

104436  feet  of  Moulding, 
660  gross  Ornaments, 

156    "  Buckles, 


732  pair  Wheclbands, 

780    "  Spanish  Gig  Steps, 

108    «  Hames, 

408    "  Gig  Handles,., 

396    "  Cavessons, 

1200    "  Ferrets. 


IN  THE   DOMESTIC  SHOE-SHOP. 

394  pair  of  new  Shoes  for  the  subjects,  besides  mending.. 

IN  THE  TAILOR'S  SHOP. 

350  pair  Canvass  Pantaloons,  for  summer. 
175  Round  Jackets  of  Satinett,  for  winter. 
175  pair  Pantaloons,       "  " 
Besides  all  the  requisite  mending  for  135  or  140  subjects. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  it  may  be  observed,  that 
much  has  been  done  by  the  boys  in  improving  the 
walks,  garden,  and  grounds  within  the  walls.  The 
work  assigned  them  is  in  general  performed  with 
great  alacrity,  and  some  of  them  have  acquired  no  in- 
considerable dexterity  in  the  trades  in  which  they  are 
employed. 

But  valuable  as  is  the  labor  performed  in  the  work 
shops,  both  in  amoral  and  physical  point  of  view,  it 


123 


will  be  perceived  by  the  Society,  that  this  labor  can- 
not be  relied  upon  as  a  source  of  profit,  to  so  great  an 
extent  as  might  at  first  be  anticipated  from  the  evi- 
dence of  industry  which  the  shops  exhibit.  Nearly 
as  soon  as  the  boys  acquire  a  dexterity  at  their  trades 
which  renders  their  labor  increasingly  valuable,  they 
are  sent  into  the  country,  and  inexperienced  hands 
succeed  to  their  places.  On  this  account,  it  has  been 
found  impracticable  to  obtain  for  them  steady  employ- 
ment, at  higher  wages  than  an  average  of  twelve  and 
a  half  cents  per  day,  of  eight  hours  each  ;  the  remain- 
der of  the  twelve  hours  being  devoted  to  their  school 
exercises.  A  few  of  them  are  also  too  small  to  be 
considered  as  entitled  to  any  reward.  From  the 
work  of  the  females,  no  other  profit  is  obtained  than 
that  which  is  saved  by  the  performance  of  domestic 
duties. 

Their  number,  since  the  increase  of  the  boys  to  their 
present  amount,  has  been  only  sufficient  to  accom- 
plish the  varied  routine  of  cooking,  cleaning,  making 
of  garments,  and  other  work,  incident  to  so  large  a 
family. 

But  although  it  is  desirable  to  direct  the  employ- 
ment of  the  youth  so  as  to  render  it  an  important  item 
in  the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  institution,  it  is  not, 
and  cannot  be  the  main  object  of  the  Refuge,  to  cause 
those  juvenile  offenders  to  support  themselves.  To 
inflict  upon  them  a  suitable  punishment  for  their  of- 
fences, and  to  effect  that  moral  reformation  which  will 
restore  them  to  the  world,  enlightened  and  regenera- 
ted, are  the  great  objects  of  this  Society.  Accom- 
plish this,  and  we  hold  it  to  be  a  demonstrable  truth, 
that,  whatever  the  cost  of  such  an  institution  within 
the  bounds  of  practicable  economy,  it  cannot  but 
prove  in  its  ultimate  effects,  an  essential  advantage  to 
the  finances  of  the  state. 

The  School,  we  believe  to  be  in  a  prosperous  con- 
dition ;  and  that  it  forms  an  invaluable  department  of 
the  institution,  not  only  as  the  means  of  literary  im- 
provement, but  of  intellectual  and  moral  culture.  The 
following  is  the  teachers'  report. 


129 


SCHOOL  REPORT. 

There  are  now  in  the  Male  School,  123  pupils.  Of  this  number, 
when  they  entered  the  House,  the  greater  part  could  not  read,  and 
many  did  not  know  their  letters. 

At  present  13  spell  words  of  one  and  two  S5rllables  on  Boards, 
23  read  on  boards  select  sentences  from  Scripture, 
14    "    in  Spelling-books  and  Moral  Monitor, 
7    "       Jack  Halyard  and  Popular  Lessons, 
30    "       Murray's  Introduction  and  Reader, 
13    "       History  of  the  U.  States.  (Goodrich's.) 

11  "       History  of  England,  and  American  Speaker, 

12  "       Natural  Philosophy  and  Parkes'  Chemistry. 

123 

Of  the  101  Boys  indented  and  otherwise  disposed  of  within  the 
last  year,  9  had  made  considerable  proficiency  in  Geography;  77 
could  read,  write,  and  cypher;  and  15  had  not  been  in  the  House 
sufficiently  long  to  make  much  improvement. 

Of  the  number  at  present  in  the  House,  very  few  were  acquainted 
with  the  first  principles  of  Arithmetic. 

22  now  Cypher  in  Addition, 
9    "         "  Subtraction, 
8    "         "  Multiplication, 
10    "         "         Short  Division, 
7    "         "         Long  Division, 
21    "         "         Compound  Rules, 
7    "         "         Rule  of  Three, 
1    "         "         Tare  and  Trett, 
1    "         "         Vulgar  Fractions, 
37  Studying  the  Tables  preparatory  to  Cyphering. 

123 

46  write  very  legibly  on  paper,  and  75  on  slates. 

The  Female  School  may  be  said  to  be  in  a  like  good  condition  ; 
there  being  38  Girls,  the  most  of  whom  read  and  write,  and  a  few 
are  somewhat  adf  anced  in  Arithmetic. 

Four  hours  in  each  day,  are  devoted  in  both  Houses,  to  instruc- 
tion. 

The  Schools  are  in  good  order,  and  the  children  tractable,  obe- 
dient, submissive,  and  with  few.  exceptions,  fond  of  learning. 

Each  Sabbath  morning,  previous  to  church  hours,  the  teacher  is 
assisted  by  two  or  three  pious  gentlemen  from  the  city  ;  the  child- 
ren are  then  organized,  and  taught  in  the  manner  of  a  Sabbath 
School,  In  addition  to  this,  one  hour  between  meetings,  is  appro- 
priated to  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  the  general  and  silent  atten- 
tion the  children  appear  to  give  to- this  exercise,  to  a  spectator  is 
solemn  and  impressive. 

The  teacher  feels  a  pleasure  in  saying,  that  though  the  children 
under  his  tuition,  are  generally  from  the  lowest  classes  of  society, 
they  evinee  in  their  conduct,  a  degree  of  decorum,  equal  to  that 
which  is  discovered  in  well  regulated  schools  :  and  though  they  are 
at  first  wild,  and  sometimes  almost  incorrigible,  nothing  is  requisite 
but  steady  discipline,  to  inure  them  to  habits  of  perfect  order. 

17 


130 


The  health  of  the  Refuge  since  the  last  Report,  has 
been  remarkably  preserved,  notwithstanding  the 
prevalence  of  fevers  in  several  parts  of  the  vicinity. 
But  one  death  has  occurred  since  the  opening  of  the 
institution,  and  that  was  the  result  of  vicious  impru- 
dence on  the  part  of  the  sufferer.  In  the  momentary 
absence  of  the  Assistant  Apothecary,  this  boy  swal- 
lowed a  portion  of  the  tincture  of  cantharides,  design- 
ing, as  is  supposed,  to  take  some  laudanum.  To  the 
skill  and  benevolent  attention  of  the  physicians,  Drs. 
Stearns  and  Ives,  the  Institution  is  greatly  indebted 
for  its  relative  exemption  from  disease,  and  for  which 
these  gentlemen  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  all  those 
who  are  interested  in  the  health  of  its  inmates. 

With  respect  to  that  kind  of  improvement  which 
constitutes  by  far  the  most  important  experimental 
part  of  the  Discipline  of  the  Refuge, — its  moral  influ- 
ence upon  the  minds  and  dispositions  of  its  subjects, 
the  Managers  are  persuaded  they  may  congratulate 
the  Society  on  the  evidence  of  no  inconsiderable 
amount  of  actual  good.  The  Superintendent,  whose 
rigilant  attention  to  this  part  of  his  charge,  affords  the 
strongest  assurance  of  that  general  fidelity  with  which 
the  Managers  have  hitherto  been  highly  gratified,  ap- 
pears to  be  much  encouraged  by  the  temper  and 
feeling  which  are  nowr  prevalent  in  the  House. — The 
Sabbath  exercises  are  performed  with  solemnity. 
The  meetings  are  attended  by  ministers  of  various  de- 
nominations;  the  gospel  is  often  preached  with  power 
by  those  who  take  a  deep  and  lively  interest  in  the 
children's  welfare,  and  their  appeals  to  the  under- 
standings and  consciences  of  their  hearers,  are  often 
productive  of  an  awakened  sensibility,  on  the  part  of 
both  sexes.  There  has  been,  within  the  last  three 
months,  an  indication  of  the  power  of  religious  im- 
pressions, in  the  case  of  some,  whose  minds,  it  was 
feared,  would  prove  impregnable  to  every  effort  that 
could  be  made  to  arouse  them  to  a  sense  of  their  moral 
danger.  Both  the  Superintendent  and  Matron  in- 
dulge the  hope,  that  in  some  of  these  hardened  and 
desperate  cases,  a  conversion  has  been  experienced, 
which  will  eventuate  in  an  entire  change  of  temper 
and  inclination.    "  J.*C,  who  had  been  one  of  the 


131 


©lost  notorious  villains  of  his  day — notorious  in  all  the 
criminal  courts,  professed  last  spring,  at  the  time  of  a 
religious  excitement,  to  find  mercy,  and  to  make  his 
peace  with  God.  He  has  ever  since  evinced  all  he 
professed.  Nor  have  we,  (says  the  Superintendent 
under  date  of  November  20th,)  had  occasion  to  re- 
prove him  since.  He  was  a  few  days  ago  bound  to  a 
respectable  mechanic.  Also,  J.  McD.,  who  was  per- 
haps one  of  the  most  accomplished  thieves  that  ever 
entered  the  House,  and  who  boasted  last  winter,  that 
we  should  never  have  it  to  say,  that  the  House  of 
Refuge  had  done  him  any  good, — was  also  a  subject 
of  hopeful  conversion  last  spring, — lived  several 
months  in  the  House  accordingly — was  some  time 
since  bound  to  a  mechanic  in  Westchester  county,  and 
the  information  respecting  him  is  very  flattering. 

"  D.  B.,  who  was  left  an  orphan,  became  connected 
with  bad  boys  in  this  city,  and  commenced  stealing 
about  the  docks,  was  taken  up  and  sent  here.  At  first 
he  promised  but  little,  but  in  a  few  months  it  was 
found  that  he  possessed  talents  of  a  sterling  quality, 
which,  like  the  ornamental  veins  in  the  marble,  needed 
only  the  proper  culture  to  bring  them  conspicuously 
to  view.  In  proportion  as  he  was  trained  in  regularity 
and  order,  he  gained  confidence,  and  he,  as  well  as 
the  two  above  named,  became  members  of  the  class 
of  honor,  who  alone  are  suffered  to  be  our  night-guard, 
and  he  never  betrayed  his  trust,  but  was  industrious 
and  vigilant.  1  saw  his  master,  to  whom  he  was 
bound,  this  morning,  who  informs  me  that  he  never 
had  such  a  boy  in  his  shop;  industrious,  ingenious, 
obedient,  and  kind,  and  that  he  wants  no  better." 

Cases  of  a  similar  nature  have  occurred  among  the 
females,  and  upon  the  whole,  the  Superintendent  re- 
marks, "  the  moral  influence  which  pervaded  the 
minds  of  the  wickedly  disposed,  (at  the  time  of  a  re- 
ligious awakening  in  the  spring,)  even  to  this  day  is 
not  easily  described." 

The  Managers  are  aware  that  in  resting  their  con- 
clusions of  a  decided  reformation,  in  the  subjects  of 
the  House,  on  an  incidental  or  special  appearance  of 
religious  excitement,  considering  that  impressions  thus 
made,  upon  minds  habitually  corrupt,  are  too  often 


\ 


132 

transitory  and  illusive,  would  be  very  unsafe;  yet 
from  the  general  demonstrations  of  order  and  cheer- 
ful obedience  which  are  observable  to  every  visiter, 
the  decorous  attention  of  the  children  during  religious 
service,  the  frequent  instances  which  occur  of  private 
devotion  after  they  have  retired  to  their  cells,  and  are 
unseen  by  their  fellows,  and  the  testimonials  furnished 
by  the  letters,  of  which  extracts  have  been  given,  we 
think  it  may  be  safely  inferred,  that  under  judicious 
management,  a  House  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents may  become  a  true  penitentiary, — and  that  at 
least  during  the  period  of  childhood  and  adoles- 
cence, no  mind  of  ordinary  native  powers,  however 
debased  by  vice,  should  be  considered  as  beyond  the 
reach  of  moral  discipline  and  the  admonitions  of  re- 
ligious truth. 

The  assembling  together  of  so  large  a  number  of 
the  vagrant,  corrupt,  and  wicked  youth  of  the  city  as 
are  collected  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  the  entire  con- 
fidence which  the  Superintendent  is  able  to  gain  in 
his  conversations  with  them,  and  the  full  confessions, 
which,  in  due  time,  they  make  of  their  past  lives  and 
actions,  furnish  data  from  which  it  is  easy  to  deduce 
conclusions  relative  to  the  principal  causes  of  that 
degradation  and  abandonment  to  vice  which  lead  the 
culprit  to  prison  or  to  infamy.    There  is  no  truth  of 
sacred  writ  more  fully  confirmed  by  the  testimony  of 
ages,  than  that  "evil  communications  corrupt  good 
manners.*'    A  propensity  to  steal  and  to  evade  the 
truth,  is  often  manifest  at  an  early  age,  and  appears 
to  exist  in  different  degrees  of  native  force.    But  the 
temptation  to  these  vices,  might,  it  is  believed,  in 
all  common  cases,  be  easily  checked,  were  it  not  for 
the  power  of  associations,  and  the  encouragement  af- 
forded by  companionship  in  vice.    The  motives  to 
thieving  are  therefore  those  principally  which  lead  to 
vicious  gratifications  of  a  social  character.  The  thief 
is  often  prodigal  of  his  money.    He  squanders  it  to 
purchase  a  transient  enjoyment  with  boon  compan- 
ions.   Whatever  holds  out  to  him  this  lure,  excites  his 
unprincipled  passion,  and  plunges  him  into  the  vortex 
of  habitual  indulgence.  Among  these  causes  of  vicious 
excitement  in  our  city,  none  appear  to  be  so  powerful 


133 


in  their  operation  as  theatrical  amusements.  JThe 
mention  of  the  number  of  boys  and  young  men  who 
have  become  determined  thieves  in  order  to  procure 
the  means  of  introduction  to  the  theatres  and  circuses, 
would  appal  the  feelings  of  every  virtuous  mind,  could 
the  whole  truth  be  laid  open  before  them.  A  small 
sum  is  at  first  pilfered,  to  obtain  a  single  sight  of 
amusements  respecting  which  they  hear  so  much, 
and  whose  entertainments  the  street  advertisements 
exhibit  in  such  conspicuous  and  alluring  characters. 
The  first  gratification  prompts  powerfully  to  the  means 
of  renewal, — new  acquaintance  is  formed — the  secrets 
of  others  still  deeper  in  crime  become  known — other 
passions  are  elicited — dishonesty  and  falsehood,  once 
rendered  habitual,  and  the  vicious  propensities  of  the 
mind  gaining  a  complete  ascendency — the  barriers  of 
the  law,  and  a  regard  for  character,  present  no  fur- 
ther impediments,  than  a  desire  to  evade  the  one  and 
to  conceal  the  abandonment  of  the  other. 

In  the  case  of  the  feebler  sex,  the  result  is  still 
worse.  A  relish  for  the  amusements  of  the  theatre, 
without  the  means  of  honest  indulgence,  becomes  too 
often  a  motive  for  listening  to  the  first  suggestions  of 
the  seducer,  and  thus  prepares  the  unfortunate  cap- 
tive of  sensuality  for  the  haunts  of  infamy,  and  a  total 
destitution  of  all  that  is  valuable  in  the  mind  and 
character  of  woman. 

The  two  following  cases,  selected  from  the  exami- 
nation of  the  boys  of  the  Refuge,  by  the  Superintend- 
ent, will  tend  to  corroborate  the  opinion  entertained 
by  the  Managers,  that  no  greater  evil  could  have  be- 
fallen our  city,  in  relation  to  the  morals  of  its  youth, 
than  the  extraordinary  increase  which  has  recently 
taken  place  in  the  number  and  variety  of  its  theatres 
and  other  analogous  places  of  public  amusement. 
From  the  rivalship  which  prevails  between  these 
places,  and  the  necessity  of  resorting  to  some  means 
in  order  to  sustain  a  reputation  for  numbers,  the  terms 
of  admission  are  reduced  to  a  modicum;  and,  if  our 
information  be  correct,  tickets  of  admission,  even  in 
some  of  the  largest  of  these  establishments,  are  freely 
granted  to  that  class  of  females  which  it  is  expected 
will  be  able  to  bring  companions  with  them,  and  thus 
add  to  the  emoluments  and  appearance  of  the  house. 


134 


June  2bth,  1827. 

II  S  ,  from  the  Commissioners,  by  the  intercession  of 

his  mother  and  friends,  aged  eleven  years  the  third  of  March  last, 
born  in  Yonkers,  Westchester  Co.  N.  Y.  His  father  has  been 
dead  six  or  seven  years,  his  mother  keeps  a  boarding  house,  on  the 
corner  of  B.  and  R.  street,  is  to  pay  one  thousand  dollars  rent  an- 
nually, and  has  twenty-seven  boarders. 

H.  lived  two  years  with  his  uncle  R.  M.,  at  II****  N****,  Con- 
necticut; returned  to  his  mother  in  September  last. 

His  first  theft  was  sixpence  from  his  mother ;  the  second  was  two 
shillings  from  her,  with  which  he  went  to  the  Chatham  Theatre, 
and  told  his  mother  that  he  had  been  playing  with  boys  in  the 
street;  then  six  shillings  from  his  mother,  which  he  spent  in  going 
to  the  Bowery  Theatre  twice;  next  five  dollars  from  his  aunt  H. 
M„  of  which  he  spent  three  dollars,  in  going  to  the  Park  Theatre 
three  times,  and  concealed  the  rest  under  his  mother's  back  stoop; 
then  four  shillings  from  Miss  J.  M.,  which  he  spent  in  going  to  the 
Chatham. Theatre,  including  ice  cream,  oranges,  &c.  &c.  ;  then 
five  dollars  from  Miss  S.,  one  of  his  mother's  boarders — spent 
three  dollars  in  going  to  the  Bowery  Theatre,  and  concealed  the 
rest  as  before;  next  two  dollars  from  Mrs.  D.,  which  he  hid  under 
the  back  stoop  as  before  ;  then  ten  dollars  from  his  mother,  spent 
the  greatest  part  in  going  twice  to  the  Chatham  Theatre,  put  the 
balance  as  before  under  the  back  stoop.  The  object  of  his  hiding 
these  little  amounts,  was,  that  he  might  have  a  sufficiency  on  the 
ensuing  fourth  of  July. 

January,  1827. 

J  M'l  ,  from  the  Commissioners,  at  the  request  of  his 

step-father,  E.  W.  H.  J.  was  born  in  Philadelphia;  his  father, 
who  died  about  fourteen  years  since,  was  president  of  the  N.  A.  I. 
C.  He  has  four  sisters  and  one  brother  living.  About  nine  months 
since,  his  mother  married  E.  W.  H.,  a  shipping  merchant,  who  has 
since  failed  in  business,  and  is  now  employed  by  R.,  and  has  a 
salary  of  sixteen  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  J.  appears  to  have 
had  opportunities  for  a  fair  English  and  German  education ;  was 
three  years  and  a  half  at  the  Nazareth  School,  is  naturally  bashful 
and  timid,  submissive  and  quiet :  has  lived  thirteen  months  in  his 
brother-in-law's  printing  office,  and  some  time  in  the  office  of  his 
step-father.  He  removed  from  Philadelphia  to  this  city,  about  three 
months  since. 

The  first  thing  he  recollects  to  have  stolen,  was  six  large  silver 
spoons  from  his  mother,  about  four  years  since,  for  which  he  ob- 
tained nine  dollars  ;  the  half  of  it  he  gave  to  his  cousin,  and  spent 
the  remainder  in  gambling  on  the  fourth  of  July.  The  next  was 
five  dollars  from  his  father,  after  which  he  ran  away,  and  was  ab- 
sent about  one  week  ;  he  then  took  a  large  six  dollar  atlas,  which 
his  step-father  gave  him,  and  sold  it  for  three  dollars,  and  spent  it 
by  going  to  the  Theatre  ;  then,  a  box  of  mathematical  instruments 
from  his  father,  which  he  sold  for  three  dollars  ;  at  different  times, 
a  large  number  of  books  from  his  father's  library,  one  of  which  he 
sold  for  five  dollars,  it  being  full  of  valuable  plates  ;  next,  his 
mother's  gold  watch,  which  he  pawned  for  ten  dollars,  but  his 
mother  obtained  it  again  by  paying  the  sum  for  which  it  was 


135 


pawned.  He  stole  his  sister's  necklaces,  offered  them  for  sale,  and 
the  man  detaining  them,  his  sister  obtained  them  again.  His  father 
then  found  him  in  the  Theatre,  and  sent  him  to  his  brother-in- 
law's,  with  a  view  to  save  him  ;  he  continued  there  thirteen  months, 
as  above,  and  then  returned  to  Philadelphia.  On  his  departure 
from  his  brother-in-law's,  Mr.  G.  T.,  he  stole  two  watches,  which, 
upon  his  arrival  in  Philadelphia,  he  sold  for  twelve  dollars  and  a 
half,  and  as  his  father  was  in  New-York  on  business,  he  spent  it  in 
going  to  the  theatre,  &c.  It  appears  that  as  he  came  to  New- 
York,  on  his  return  from  his  brother-in-law's,  by  the  way  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, he  commenced  his  old  trade  with  renewed  vigor;  the 
first  commencement  was  in  sacrificing  his  father's  library,  by 
selling  Rollin's  Ancient  History,  breaking  a  set  of  the  Encyclope- 
dia, by  selling  eight  volumes  out  of  forty,  French  and  German 
books,  dictionaries,  &c.  ;  next,  a  suit  of  his  mother's  bed  curtains, 
for  which  he  obtained  seven  dollars.  He,  about  this  time,  formed 
an  acquaintance  with  a  thief,  by  the  name  of  C.  A.  Crossing  from 
Brooklyn  one  night,  on  their  way  he  made  an  agreement  with  A.  to 
meet  him  at  his  father's  house,  very  early  next  morning,  and  he 
would  furnish  him  with  some  of  his  mother's  bed  clothes  ;  A.  came, 
and  J.  gave  him  a  load,  which  he  sold  and  returned  him  half  the 
proceeds. 

It  would  be  well  here  to  remark,  that  it  was  now  in  the  summer 
season,  and  J's  mother  had  put  away  her  curtains,  sheets,  blankets, 
&c.  in  trunks  in  their  garret.  A.  and  J,  continued  for  a  week  or 
more  to  lug  off  these  articles,  until  they  had  stripped  the  house 
pretty  thoroughly :  the  last  articles  that  A.  was  furnished  with, 
were  Mrs.  H's  cloth  coat,  silk  frock,  white  dress,  &c,  which  he 
kept  and  returned  no  more.  The  greatest  amount  that  J.  ever 
received  from  Allen,  at  any  one  time,  was  ten  dollars  for  his 
mother's  goods  stolen.  J.  also  stole  his  father's  saddle  and  bridle, 
for  which  he  obtained  seven  dollars  ;  then  he  went  to  a  neighbor- 
ing clerk,  and  b}^  stratagem,  persuaded  him  to  sign  a  merchant's 
name  to  five  checks,  one  for  forty-five  dollars,  two  for  thirty- 
five  dollars  each,  one  for  twenty-five  dollars,  and  another  for  fif- 
teen dollars.  He  went  to  different  shops  where  his  father  dealt, 
and  changed  the  greater  part  of  them,  and  raised  about  one  hun- 
dred dollars,  and  stole  fifty  dollars  more  from  his  father.  This 
occurred  on  a  Saturday  evening,  and  on  Sunday  morning  he 
started  for  Philadelphia.  His  father,  accidentally  received  early 
information  of  his  departure,  and  overtook  him  at  Elizabeth  Town, 
in  the  afternoon  ;  had  him  locked  up  one  day,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing day  told  him  that  he  could  trust  him  no  longer,  and  that 
he  should  be  obliged  to  send  him  to  sea.  J.  did  not  wish  to  go, 
therefore  he  went  to  a  house  where  Mr.  C.  President  of  the  L.  S. 
boarded,  and  told  the  landlady,  that  Mr.  C.  had  sent  him  for  his 
coat,  which  he  obtained  and  sold  in  the  Bowery  for  eleven  dol- 
lars ;  then  a  pair  of  boots  from  his  father,  for  which  he  obtained 
three  dollars  and  a  half;  then  a  coat  from  his  cousin  G.  H.  for 
which  he  obtained  seven  dollars,  and  ran  away  from  his  father  and 
took  private  board,  to  avoid  being  sent  to  sea.  His  father  found 
him  in  the  Chatham  Theatre,  about  seventeen  days  since,  put  him 
in  Bridewell,  and  from  thence  to  the  House  of  Refuge. 


136 


His  friends  and  himself  all  say  that  his  great  thirst  for  visiting 
theatres  and  places  of  amusement,  was  the  leading  passion  which 
induced  him  to  steal  so  much. 

It  is  not  believed  that  these  are  very  rare  or  very- 
peculiar  cases.  The  number  of  boys  that  occupy  the 
lower  seats  of  the  theatres  and  of  those  too  whose  rag- 
ged appearance  indicates  the  poverty  in  which  they 
live,  is  said  to  be  very  great;  and  the  examinations  of 
the  Refuge  would  lead  to  the  conclusion,  that  these 
places  are  the  resort  almost  universally  of  those,  who, 
by  the  dishonesty  of  their  lives  become  candidates  for 
the  Refuge  and  City  Prison.  But  it  is  much  easier  to 
point  out  these  evils  than  to  prescribe  the  remedy. 
It  would  not  perhaps  be  extravagant  to  assert  that 
were  the  theatres  and  circuses  made  to  contribute  an 
amount  equal  to  the  maintenance  of  the  city  prison, 
they  would  do  no  more  than  compensate  for  the  ex- 
tent of  the  moral  evil  which  they  entail  upon  the  infe- 
rior classes  of  our  population. 

In  the  management  of  the  female  part  of  the  institu- 
tion and  in  the  domestic  arrangements  of  the  whole 
establishment,  the  Managers  can  cordially  acknowl- 
edge the  assistance  which  has  been  derived  from  the 
Ladies'  Committee.  Their  attentions  have  been 
steadily  directed,  in  weekly  visits  to  the  Refuge,  to 
the  moral  and  religious  improvement  of  the  females, 
and  to  the  strengthening  of  the  hands  of  the  Matron 
in  her  delicate  and  important  duties.  Although  it 
may  not  be  probable  that  the  number  of  female  sub- 
jects will  much  exceed  its  present  proportion,  yet  ev- 
ery instance  of  restoration  to  virtue,  or  protection  from 
the  horrors  of  vice  in  this  class  of  its  subjects,  cannot 
fail  to  yield  the  blessing  of  an  ample  reward  for  all  the 
labor  and  care  it  may  have  cost.  "  The  benevolent 
interests  of  the  Matron,  (observes  the  Sixth  Report  of 
the  London  Society  for  the  improvement  of  Prisons, 
&c.)  will  not  be  confined  to  the  walls  of  her  gaol. 
There  is  not  perhaps  in  the  whole  range  of  human 
destitution,  a  more  genuine  object  of  compassion,  than 
the  friendless  girl,  who  quits  a  prison,  with  the  desire, 
yet  without  the  means  of  reformation.  Satisfactory 
may  have  been  her  conduct  during  confinement,  and 
gratifying  the  proofs  of   her  moral  improvement; 


137 


yet  what  can  reasonably  be  expected,  if  at  the  expira- 
tion of  her  sentence,  she  is  thrown  upon  the  wide 
world  ?  She  is  surrounded  by  temptation,  and  even  the 
distinction  of  her  sex,  and  the  helplessness  of  her  con- 
dition— which  constitute  the  strongest  claims  upon 
protection — are  too  often  the  most  fatal  sources  of 
her  moral  ruin  and  hopeless  degradation.  How  many 
thus  circumstanced,  feel  at  this  moment  the  wretch- 
edness of  guilt  in  the  loss  of  character,  the  abandon- 
ment of  friends,  the  pressure  of  want,  the  pangs  of  dis- 
ease, and  the  bitterness  of  despair;  and  how  many 
have  quitted  confinement  in  a  state  of  entire  destitu- 
tion, whom  the  hand  of  kindness  might  have  saved 
from  ruin,  and  rescued  from  an  untimely  and  dishon- 
orable grave!  To  devise  means  for  the  relief  of  the 
repentant  and  distressed  criminal,  on  her  discharge, 
may  form  no  part  of  the  official  instructions  of  a  prison 
matron;  but  her  own  feeling  will  prompt  her  to  the 
execution  of  duties  which  are  enjoined  by  the  most 
sacred  obligations  of  religion,  and  the  strongest  dic- 
tates of  humanity;  and  it  will  be  her  care  to  anticipate 
the  wants  of  the  discharged  female;  and  to  remove, 
as  far  as  may  be  practicable  the  temptations  to  which 
she  is  about  to  be  exposed." 

It  is  also  well  observed  in  the  same  valuable  Re- 
port, that,  "The  peculiar  relation  in  which  a  prison 
matron  stands  towards  the  objects  of  her  care,  ought 
to  inspire  her  with  no  ordinary  share  of  interest  and 
compassion.  In  the  exercise  of  her  duties  she  is  at 
once  the  representative  and  guardian  of  her  sex,  and 
she  ought  to  be  a  bright  example  of  its  purity,  disin- 
terestedness, and  love.  To  win  affection,  yet  enforce 
authority, — to  inspire  confidence,  yet  command  res- 
pect,— to  war  against  the  vices,  yet  make  just  allow- 
ance for  the  frailties  of  humanity, — are  qualities  of 
mind  in  an  eminent  degree  essential  to  her  who  would 
reclaim  the  thoughtless,  subdue  the  stubborn,  and  heal 
the  broken  heart.  She  must  be  prepared  to  encoun- 
ter disappointment  from  ingratitude,  indifference  and 
deceit;  yet  if  she  do  not  always  attain  success,  it  will 
be  her  care  uniformly  to  deserve  it :  nor  will  such  dis- 
couragements easily  repress  exertions  that  flow  from 
Che  convictions  of  duty,  and  derive  strength  from  the 

18 


133 


influence  of  Christian  principles.  A  pious  and  judi- 
cious effort  to  reclaim  the  vicious  is  seldom  wholly 
lost;  and  a  prison  matron  may  be  assured,  that  to  the 
faithful  discharge  of  her  interesting  duties,  the  blessing 
of  Heaven  will  never  be  denied." 

The  government  of  the  Refuge,  as  far  as  is  deemed 
compatible  with  the  penitentiary  objects  of  the  insti- 
tution, is  strictly  paternal.    On  their  first  admission, 
the  subjects  are  made  acquainted  with  the  rules  of 
the  House  and  the  duties  that  will  be  required  of 
them.    These  are  so  clearly  explained  that  none  can 
plead  ignorance  as  an  excuse  for  violation.    They  are 
informed  that  cheerful  and  punctual  obedience  to 
these  duties,  will  ensure  them  kind  treatment  and  all 
the  benefits  which  the  institution  and  the  interests  of 
the  Managers  can  procure  for  them.    But  that  pun- 
ishment, prompt  and  severe  if  necessary,  will  inevita- 
bly be  the  consequence  of  disobedience.    These  en- 
gagements are  strictly  observed  on  the  part  of  the  Su- 
perintendent.   Those  who  distinguish  themselves  by 
undeviating  good  conduct  for  a  certain  length  of  time, 
are  enrolled  in  the  class  of  honor,  and  wear  the  badge 
of  this  class  on  the  left  arm.    Certain  privileges  are 
granted  to  this  class.    From  them  the  night-guards 
are  chosen,  who  are  officers  of  considerable  trust. 
The  Superintendent  finds  no  difficulty  in  procuring 
boys  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age  who  are  wor- 
thy of  this  confidence.    If  they  betray  it,  (which  has 
seldom  been  done  except  for  the  purpose  of  escaping 
from  the  premises,)  they  know  that  the  punishment 
will  be  proportionably  heavy.    This  punishment  con- 
sists in  flagellation,  with  a  whip  of  strings,  in  solitary 
confinement  to  their  cells,  either  with  or  without  the 
accompaniment  of  a  low  diet,  in  forbidding  any  one  to 
hold  communication  with  the  offender  without  permis- 
sion, and  in  extraordinary  cases  of  flagitious  conduct, 
in  wearing  an  iron  on  one  side,#  fastened  to  the  waist 
at  one  end  and  to  the  ankle  at  the  other.    By  a  judi- 
cious alternation,  or  use  of  these  punitive  measures, 
no  difficulty,  of  a  formidable  character,  has  occurred, 
in  supporting  a  system  of  perfect  order,  among  boys, 
who,  from  their  age  and  crime  are  well  entitled  to  the 

*  Under  their  pantaloons. 


139 


appellation  of  ruffians,  without  the  use  or  display  of 
dangerous  or  destructive  weapons  of  any  kind.  To 
dispense  with  any  one  of  these  correctives  would  not 
as  we  believe  contribute  in  any  way  to  diminish  the 
amount  of  punishment  and  suffering,  or  subserve  the 
cause  of  humanity.  Punishment  by  whipping,  when 
apportioned  with  tempered  firmness  by  him  who  is 
known  by  the  culprit  to  be  his  friend,  is  received  with 
feelings  altogether  different  from  that  which  proceeds 
from  useless  violence  or  untempered  severity.  When 
rightly  administered,  the  sting  is  felt  upon  the  con- 
science as  well  as  upon  the  nerves  ;  and  we  hold  it  to 
be  possible  in  every  case  of  flagellation,  when  there 
is  a  consciousness  of  disobedience,  for  the  culprit  to 
part  from  the  keeper  without  any  increase  of  dislike 
or  aversion. 

The  subject  of  penitentiary  discipline  is  a  topic 
which  has  recently  claimed  an  unusual  share  of  public 
attention,  and  the  discussion  of  it  by  distinguished 
philanthropists  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  has  eli- 
cited a  very  animated  controversy  with  respect  to  the 
mode  of  treating  convicts  so  as  to  accomplish  most 
effectually  the  various  objects  for  which  they  are  sen- 
tenced to  the  confines  of  a  prison.  These  objects  are 
admitted  to  be,  first,  labor,  so  that  the  prisoner  may 
contribute  to  the  expenses  of  his  maintenance;  second, 
moral  reformation,  so  that  on  his  discharge,  he  may  re- 
new his  intercourse  with  the  world  with  a  determina- 
tion to  avoid  the  errors  of  his  past  life,  and  become 
an  honest  man;  third,  punishment,  to  an  extent  suffi- 
cient to  deter  others  from  the  commission  of  crime, 
and  thus  promote  the  safety  and  well-being  of  society. 
The  experience  of  the  most  enlightened  nations  ap- 
pears to  have  established  the  conclusion,  that  sanguin- 
ary laws  and  cruel  or  vindictive  punishments  answer 
no  valuable  purpose  as  instruments  of  terror,  and  that 
crimes  are  least  numerous  when  the  whole  system  of 
penal  legislation  is  conducted  upon  principles  of  hu- 
manity and  with  a  reference  to  the  nobler  motives 
which  can  be  made  to  operate  upon  the  human  mind. 
The  penitentiary  system  in  this  country  has,  it  must 
be  admitted,  experienced  a  retrogression  from  the 
bright  promise  and  happy  influences  under  which  it 


140 


was  first  exhibited  to  the  world.  But  it  has  unques- 
tionably again  experienced  a  revival ;  and  it  may  we 
think  with  justice  be  doubted  whether  that  system 
was  ever  more  efficaciously  administered,  and  with 
less  expence  to  the  feelings  of  humanity,  than  it  is 
now  exercised  in  the  Auburn  prison,  under  Mr.  Pow- 
ers, and  in  the  new  prison  at  Mount  Pleasant,  under 
the  direction  of  Captain  Lyndes.  The  government  of 
those  prisons  is  conducted  essentially  upon  the  prin- 
ciples practised  at  the  House  of  Refuge.  The  varia- 
tions are  such  as  the  more  hardened  criminality  and 
the  greater  physical  strength  of  the  culprits  so  obvi- 
ously require.  Solitary  night  cells,  and  labor  and 
meals  performed  in  perfect  silence  are  found  to  be  ef- 
fectual securities  against  mutual  contamination  and 
concerted  schemes  of  mischief.  There  is  enough  of 
society  to  prevent  the  dreariness  and  corrosive  gloom 
of  entire  solitude,  and  not  enough  to  admit  of  its  de- 
moralizing perversions  and  abuses.  Insubordination 
is  promptly  punished  by  corporal  chastisement  of 
which  the  prisoner  has  been  amply  forewarned,  and 
which  being  meted  to  him  in  proportion  to  the  mani- 
festations of  his  disobedience,  it  is  received  as  the  in- 
evitable consequence  of  a  departure  from  duty,  and 
hence  it  falls  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  rank  of  those 
physical  miseries  which  result  from  a  man's  own  im- 
prudence or  intemperance.  Its  moral  impressions  are 
thus  brought  home  to  the  feelings  of  the  sufferer  in 
his  hours  of  sober  reflection,  and  associating  the  pen- 
alty with  the  crime,  he  soon  learns  to  avoid  the  latter 
from  the  sense  of  its  immediate  and  inseparable  con- 
nexion with  the  former.  Hence  in  his  mind  there  pre- 
vails an  incipient  reformation,  which  results  in  an 
habitual  and  submissive  acquiescence  in  the  circum- 
stances in  which  he  is  placed.  The  pains  and  priva- 
tions he  endures  come  to  be  regarded  as  the  conse- 
quences of  his  follies  and  crimes, — his  keeper  as  the 
minister  of  the  law,  whose  duty  it  is  to  fulfil  its  provi- 
sions— and  the  law  itself  as  a  decree  of  necessity 
which  it  is  in  vain  to  resist. 

It  is  perhaps  possible  that  these  moral  deductions 
may  be  made  by  a  person  sentenced  to  exclusive 
solitude  without  the  intervention  of  the  whip,  and  of 


141 


course  without  any  conflict  between  his  passions  and 
his  relative  duties  to  his  keeper  and  to  his  fellow- 
prisoners.    But  of  the  comparative  efficacy  of  the 
two  modes  in  producing  reformation,  no  doubt  re- 
mains upon  our  minds.    Nor  have  we  less  hesitation 
on  the  question  of  humanity, — or  in  other  words  on 
the  relative  amount  of  suffering  which  the  prisoner 
would  have  to  endure  when  confined  absolutely  to 
solitude,  cut  off  entirely  from  all  intercourse  with 
his  fellow  men,  or  when  obliged  to  submit  to  a  sea- 
sonable castigation  for  disobedience.    The  experi- 
ence of  the  Refuge,  notwithstanding  the  difference 
which  may  exist  between  young  and  old  offenders, 
does  in  our  opinion  throw  light  on  this  important 
question.    The  most  weighty  argument  against  in- 
vesting the  keeper  of  a  prison  with  the  power  to 
chastise,  is  the  danger  of  abuse.    This  danger  it 
would  be  unreasonable,  in  the  abstract,  to  deny.  It 
is  however  found  reasonable  and  salutary  in  society 
at  large  to  acknowledge  this  power,  as  one  of  the 
rights  of  a  parent  over  his  children,  a  teacher  over 
his  scholar,  a  master  over  his  apprentice,  the  captain 
of  a  ship  over  his  hired  men.    It  may  in  all  these  ca- 
ses be  grievously  abused, — but  there  is  a  remedy  in 
other  principles  of  our  social  compact,  which,  in  a 
healthy  state  of  society,  cannot  fail  to  be  speedily 
applied.    When  therefore  a  keeper  of  a  penitentiary 
is  selected  with  a  special  eye  to  the  nature  of  his  du- 
ties,— with  reference  to  his  intelligence,  his  moral 
and  religious  character,  his  reputation  for  benevo- 
lence as  well  as  firmness,  and  when  moreover  he  is 
surrounded  with  a  well  chosen  body  of  inspectors, 
and  acts  constantly  in  the  presence  of  under  keepers, 
we  think  that  the  hazards  of  an  abuse  of  power,  are 
not  to  be  put  in  competition  with  the  actual  advanta- 
ges of  a  system  of  energetic  parental  government. 
The  abuses  which  were  alleged  to  have  taken  place 
at  Auburn  a  few  years  since,  vanished  into  almost 
nothing,  when  a  strict  investigation  was  made  by  a 
committee  of  the  Legislature,  conducted  with  all  the 
solemnity  of  a  judicial  tribunal,  and  affording  ample 
opportunity  for  those  who  had  made  the  charges,  to 
substantiate  them  by  adequate  testimony.    The  pub- 


142 


lication  of  this  inquiry,  appears  in  the  view  of  the 
Managers  to  have  removed  entirely  the  objections  to 
this  system  of  government  arising  from  the  charge  of 
abuses  at  the  Auburn  prison.  We  advert  to  this  sub- 
ject on  the  present  occasion,  from  a  belief  that  it  con- 
stitutes an  important  question  in  the  practical  man- 
agement of  the  state  prisons  of  this  country,  and  in  rela- 
tion to  which,  every  fact  drawn  from  actual  experi- 
ence affords  additional  light  and  facilitates  the  means 
of  a  correct  solution  of  the  problem. 

We  conclude  with  an  extract  from  an  "  Introduc- 
tory Report  to  the  Code  of  Prison  Discipline,  &c, 

PREPARED  FOR  THE  STATE  OF  LOUISIANA,"    by  the  HoN. 

Edward  Livingston.  The  opinion  of  so  enlightened 
and  experienced  a  judge  of  penal  law,  cannot  fail  to 
add  weight  to  the  evidence  contained  in  the  preceding 
statements. 

"One  other  institution  remains  to  be  described; 
one  of  perhaps  quite  as  much  importance  as  any  other 
in  the  system.  It  is  the  School  of  Reform  ;  designed 
for  the  confinement,  discipline,  and  instruction  of  ju- 
venile offenders  and  young  vagrants.  Of  all  the 
establishments  suggested  by  the  charity,  and  exe- 
cuted by  the  active  and  enlightened  benevolence  of 
modern  times,  none  interests  more  deeply  the  best 
feelings  of  the  heart.  Whether  we  consider  the  evil 
avoided,  or  the  positive  good  bestowed,  it  is  equally 
worthy  of  our  admiration." 

After  pointing  out  the  injustice  and  inhumanity  of 
including  in  the  same  system  of  penalties,  the  crimes 
of  childhood  and  those  of  adult  age,  the  author  pro- 
ceeds : 

H  To  argue  the  utility,  or  to  descant  on  the  humanity, 
of  this  establishment,  after  demonstrating  its  justice, 
would  be  a  useless  task. 

"  Every  mind  that  has  investigated  the  causes  and 
progress  of  crime,  must  acknowledge  the  one ;  every 
benevolent  heart  must  feel  the  other.  And  even 
economy,  cold,  calculating  economy,  after  stating  the 
account  in  dollars  and  cents,  must  confess  that  this  is 
a  money  saving  institution. 

"  If  it  is  wise  to  prevent  a  hundred  atrocious  crimes 
by  removing  the  opprobrium  of  a  venial  fault,  and 


143 


substituting  instruction  for  punishment ;  if  it  is  the 
highest  species  of  humanity  to  relieve  from  the  mise- 
ries of  vice  and  the  degradation  of  crime;  to  extend 
the  operation  of  charity  to  the  mind  j  and  snatch  with 
its  angel  arm  innocence  from  seduction;  if  it  be  a 
saving  to  society  to  support  an  infant  for  a  few  years 
at  school,  and  thereby  avoid  the  charge  of  the  depre- 
dations of  a  felon  for  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  the  ex- 
pense of  his  future  convictions  and  confinement,  then 
is  the  School  of  Reform  a  wise,  a  humane,  and  an  eco- 
nomical institution. 

"  I  need  not  enlarge  this  report  by  the  details  for 
the  government  of  this  School ;  they  are  minutely 
contained  in  this  code.  One  principle  pervades  the 
whole,  which  has  been  sufficiently  enlarged  upon; 
that  the  offences  of  children  may  be  sufficiently  cor- 
rected, both  for  the  ends  of  punishment  and  example, 
by  education  and  employment.  If  this  be  wrong,  the 
whole  plan  must  be  remodelled ;  but  in  establishing 
it,  I  have  been  guided  by  something  better  than  the 
best  reasoning.  In  the  city  of  New- York,  there  is  an 
establishment  of  this  kind,  which  can  never  be  visited 
but  with  unmixed  emotions  of  intellectual  pleasure. 
In  now  contains  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  boys 
and  twenty-nine  girls,  for  the  most  part  healthy,  cheer- 
ful, intelligent,  industrious,  orderly,  and  obedient; 
animated  with  certain  prospect  of  becoming  useful 
members  of  society,  who,  but  for  this  establishment, 
would  still  have  been  suffering  under  the  accumula- 
ted evils  attendant  on  poverty,  ignorance,  and  the 
lowest  depravity,  with  no  other  futurity  before  them 
than  the  penitentiary  or  the  gallows.  I  ought  not  to 
omit  mentioning  here,  that  the  female  department  is 
superintended  by  a  visiting  committee  of  ladies,  who, 
at  regular  and  frequent  periods,  examine  the  school, 
converse  with  the  scholars,  encourage  the  diffident, 
reprove  the  disorderly,  reward  the  industrious,  and 
inspire  all  with  their  own  virtues.  The  code  I  sub- 
mit invites  a  similar  superintendence,  from  which  the 
highest  advantages,  such  as  nothing  but  the  benign 
influence  of  female  character  can  give,  are  expected. 

"  The  plan  of  indenting  the  scholars  to  useful  trades 
has  been  recommended,  from  the  practical  effect  that 


144 


has  been  observed  at  New-York.  It  might  at  first  be 
supposed,  that  an  aversion  would  be  found  to  taking 
apprentices  from  such  a  place  ;  but  experience  has 
proved  that  the  confidence  inspired  by  the  mode  of 
education  pursued,  is  so  great,  that  applications  are 
more  numerous,  for  children  of  both  sexes,  than  the 
rules  of  the  institution  will  permit  them  to  supply. 
And,  although  twenty-eight  boys  and  fifteen  girls  have 
been  indented,  the  most  favorable  accounts  have 
been  received  of  their  behavior;  two  having  received 
what  they  thought  ill  usage  from  their  masters,  left 
them  and  returned  to  the  school:  and  only  one  has 
resumed  his  former  bad  habits.  What  renders  the 
reformation  of  these  children  the  more  extraordinary, 
is,  that  thirty  of  them  had  before  been  sentenced  to 
the  penitentiary  from  one  to  five  different  times.  A 
register  is  kept  of  the  behavior  of  the  different  boys, 
and  as  much  of  their  previous  history  as  can  be  dis- 
covered. Extracts  from  this  are  annually  published, 
and  they  contain  a  number  of  facts  of  the  most  inter- 
esting kind,  all  proving  the  practical  utility  of  the 
plan." 


145 


CD 

I— i 


o  B  o 
p  »  a. 


o  o 


a, 

c  3 

'  CD  O 


a  CO  £  55  g  CO  o 
w  o  2.  ct>  P-  o 
_  3-cd  -  -  p  - 
Sob  AAag 


COH^O 
o  a  o  >— 
o 


£d  CD 


3  5#  g 


2.3  o  |  §  g  ^WSt 


t_j  «1   -      BO  CO 

§*E  W  o" 
13  eS'J&w  ST. 


_^  >-*  ^ 
2  S  co 


rn 

O    •  CD 


^£r*a  g.S 


p  cd 


P  s  ?  o 


B*  •  CD 

°  : 

CS    •    CO  en 


w :  2- 

^  ! 


a 

p 
O  3 

r-  3 

ST  P 

s-i 

s  » 


o 


OX  o 
CO 


00 

*l    co  co  <r 

4*.  Gi  Oi  CO 
»-»_COjt^_  O 


CO  *  CO 
►fe.  Oi  00  M 
0>  bb.  Oi  CD 

on  Oi  o>  O 


tfe  0<K)m  COOC1CD 
_fcO  OS  COmOQD 


oo 
co 


P  o 

-3  t-  3  (SO 
•  CO 

to 

'•->  00 


to 


xa 


W  to 

o  oo 

g  £ig  S 

S    *3    >*•         c  .  03 


2  o 
2  3  3.  2.3 

«*  V  <J  ^  CO 
tar  K*  &■  H»  io 

(S3 


»  5 

s>  sr 

:  ^ 

!  p 


•  3 

•  3 

:  3 


O  3 

3 

O  C- 


a?  oi  3 

§  s  1 

sr  °  5" 

CD   CD  E~ 

O   3  CD 


ce  n 


°  ° 


8P 

ir 


5^ 


C3 


o 
o 
o 

s 


oo 


5 


GO 

-J 


19 


146 


Vice  Presidents. 


Officers  of  the  Society* 

CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President. 
STEPHEN  ALLEN, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 
JOHN  T.  IRVING, 
HENRY  I.  WYCKOFF, 
JAMES  LOVETT, 
RALPH  OLMSTED,  Treasurer. 
ISAAC  S.  HONE,  Secretary. 

ANSELS™^VES,'  M.  D.    \  Physicians  and  Surgeons. 

House  of  Refuge. 

NATHANIEL  C.  HART,  Superintendent. 

HENRY  MILLER,  Assistant  Superintendent* 

CATHARINE  GOWEY,  Matron. 

MARY  WEAVER,  Assistant  Matron. 

J.  M'CONNELL,  Teacher. 

P.  SHERLOCK,  Gate  Keeper. 

J.  BIRMINGHAM,  Cartman. 

Indenturing  Committee. 

WILLIAM  F.  MOTT, 
HEM  AN  AVERILL, 
BENJAMIN  L.  SWAN. 


Stephen  Allen, 
Heman  Averill, 
Arthur  Burtis, 

C.   D.  CoLDEN, 

Isaac  Collins, 
Robert  C.  Cornell, 
Samuel  Cowdrey, 
Joseph  Curtis, 
Cornelius  Dubois, 
Thomas  Eddy, 


Managers, 

William  W.  Fox, 
John  Griscom, 
James  W.  Gerard, 
John  E.  Hyde, 
Isaac  S.  Hone, 
John  Hunter, 
John  T.  Irving, 
Ansel  W.  Ives, 
James  Lovett, 
William  F.  Mott, 


Hugh  Maxwell, 
Ralph  Olmsted, 
Fred'k  Sheldon, 
Peter  Sharpe, 
John  Stearns, 
Benjamin  L.  Swan, 
David  Stebbins, 
M.  Van  Schaick, 
Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 
Samuel  Wood. 


Ladies'  Committee. 

MRS.  ISABELLA  BULOID,  First  Directress. 
"     SARAH  HAWXHURST,  Second  Directress. 
«     CHARLOTTE  FOX,  Treasurer. 
"     MARIA  HYDE,  Secretary. 

Mrs.  Martha  Willis,  Mrs. 

"    Almy  Cornell,  " 

"    Alice  Townsend,  " 

"    Rebecca  M'Comb,  " 

"    Ann  Warner, 

Donations  to  the  House  of  Refuge  will  be  thankfully  receiv- 
ed by  the  Officers  and  Managers  of  the  Society. 

The  payment  of  50  dollars,  or  of  10  dollars  per  annum  for  six 
years,  constitutes  a  person  a  member  of  the  Society  for  life  ;  and 
an  annual  subscription  of  3  dollars,  a  member  so  long  as  it  is  con- 
tinued to  be  paid. 


D.  Embury, 
Margaret  Prior, 
Maria  Colden, 
Anna  Mott. 


FOURTH  ANNUAL  REPORT,  &c. 
1829. 

— 

With  another  anniversary,  the  duty  of  the  Mana- 
gers of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile 
Delinquents  to  present  a  Report,  for  the  information 
of  the  members  of  the  Institution  and  of  the  public, 
recurs.  This  is  a  task  which  it  must  always  be  a 
gratification  to  perform,  as  long  as  the  Managers  are 
able  to  state,  as  they  can  now  do,  that  the  establish- 
ment continues  to  realise  the  most  sanguine  expecta- 
tions of  its  friends  and  advocates. 

After  the  Institution  has  been  in  operation  several 
years,  and  its  objects,  its  principles,  and  its  system 
have  been  so  often  developed  in  former  annual  re- 
ports, it  might  be  unnecessary  to  discuss,  at  this  time, 
at  any  length,  its  policy,  its  humanity,  and  its  justice. 
It  would  be  necessary,  on  this  occasion,  to  do  no  more 
than  to  make  known  the  proceedings  of  the  Society 
for  the  last  year,  and  the  results  of  the  efforts  of  the 
Managers  to  accomplish  the  designs  of  the  establish- 
ment; but  as  the  unexpected  state  of  the  funds,  and 
the  resources  of  the  Society,  will  oblige  them  again  to 
apply  to  the  legislature  for  more  certain  means  of 
support,  it  is  thought  that  it  will  be  proper  in  this 
report,  to  present  some  general  views  of  the  merits  of 
the  Institution. 

It  must  be  satisfactory  to  those  with  whom  this 
charity  originated,  and  to  those  by  whose  exertions  it 
has  been,  and  is  supported,  to  find  that  it  is  not  only 
approved  at  home,  but  that  it  has  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  those  in  other  countries,  whose  minds  are  bent 
on  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  mankind.  If 
it  were  possible  that  any  feelings  but  those  of  pure 
benevolence  could  mix  with  the  consideration  of  this 
subject,  we  might  feel  a  pride  in  the  reflection,  that 
our  young  country  which  has  so  lately  assumed  the 
rank  of  an  independent  nation,  was  the  first  to  adopt 
with  any  efficacy,  the  penitentiary  system  of  prison 


148 


discipline,  and  the  first  to  attempt  to  prevent  the  com- 
mission of  crimes,  by  seeking  out  the  youthful  and  un- 
protected, who  were  in  the  way  of  temptation,  and  by 
religious  and  moral  instruction,  by  imparting  to  them 
useful  knowledge,  and  by  giving  them  industrious  and 
orderly  habits,  rescuing  them  from  vice,  and  render- 
ing them  valuable  members  of  society.  Several  of 
our  neighboring  states  are  profiting  by  our  example, 
and  we  cannot  but  hope  that  our  success  in  this  new 
system  of  wise  and  charitable  regulation,  will  induce 
a  more  extensive  adoption  of  it  in  our  own  state. 

Though  by  a  recent  law,  the  establishment  is  opened 
for  the  reception  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  from  every 
county  in  the  state,  yet  owing  to  this  provision  not 
being  sufficiently  known,  or  possibly,  owing  to  objec- 
tions which  there  are  to  transporting  young  offend- 
ers for  petty  crimes,  to  a  distance  from  their  homes, 
there  have  been  but  few  subjects  in  the  House  of 
Refuge  sent  from  elsewhere  than  the  city  and  county 
of  New-York.  If  the  happy  effects  of  this  establish- 
ment, on  the  community  where  its  influence  is  imme- 
diately felt,  were  better  and  more  generally  known 
and  considered,  it  could  not  fail  to  insure  the  adoption 
of  similar  institutions  in  other  districts  of  our  state. 

Previously  to  the  establishment  of  the  House  of 
Refuge,  there  were  more  than  five  hundred  young 
persons  annually  committed,  in  the  city  of  New- York, 
either  as  criminals  or  vagrants;  now  the  officers  of 
justice  do  not  find  half  that  number,  of  these  descrip- 
tions ,•  so  that  the  effects  of  the  institution  are  not  only 
felt  by  those  who  are  committed  to  its  care,  but  the 
community  at  large  feels  its  benign  influence  in  the 
diminution  of  crime.  Its  operation,  in  this  respect,  is 
riot  only  in  the  present  time,  but  future  generations 
will  be  rendered  more  pure  and  virtuous,  by  the  re- 
formation of  the  depraved  youths  of  the  present  race, 
who,  if  they  were  left  to  their  ordinary  course,  would 
have  been  matured  in  vice.  The  laws  which  provide 
for  the  punishment  of  aged  criminals,  are  not  more 
important  than  those  which  regard  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents. If  the  young  can  be  rendered  virtuous, 
there  will  be  comparatively  but  few  crimes,  for  how 


149 


seldom  does  it  happen  that  a  person  in  advanced  life 
is  criminal,  who  was  not  vicious  when  he  was  young? 

Jf  there  could,  at  this  time,  be  a  question  as  to  the 
humanity  and  justice  of  the  institution,  the  condition 
of  the  objects  of  its  care,  previously  to  and  after  they 
are  received  into  the  House  of  Refuge,  might  be  ex- 
hibited, in  a  manner  that  would  appeal  to  the  most 
obdurate  feelings.  Very  generally,  the  children  who 
are  committed  to  this  asylum  are  orphans,  or  if  not, 
they  are  so  neglected,  or  misled  by  their  parents,  as 
to  be  in  a  worse  condition  than  if  they  had  none — 
deserted  and  in  poverty,  often  in  absolute  want,  and 
without  a  roof  under  which  they  can  claim  shelter ; 
not  only  without  religious  or  moral  instruction,  but 
in  many  instances  taught  to  be  vicious  by  precept  as 
well  as  by-  example,  these  unfortunate  children  are 
found  offending  against  the  laws.  Frequently  the 
younger  persons  who  are  received  in  the  House  of 
Refuge  are  so  totally  devoid  of  moral  instruction, 
that  they  evince  an  entire  want  of  a  knowledge  of 
right  and  wrong.  It  has  happened  that  when  one  has 
been  questioned  as  to  his  former  course  of  life,  and 
asked  how  he  obtained  means  of  subsistence,  he  has 
answered,  by  begging  and  stealing,  with  apparently, 
as  little  consciousness  that  he  was  making  a  disgrace- 
ful confession,  as  if  he  had  said  that  he  had  found 
a  support  from  some  honest  employment.  Under 
such  circumstances,  what  could  be  more  unjust  than 
to  visit  the  young  delinquent  with  the  same  kind  or 
degree  of  punishment,  which  would  be  due  to  a  de- 
liberate offender  of  mature  years? 

To  confine  these  youthful  criminals  in  our  loath- 
some and  crowded  prisons,  where  no,  or  scarcely 
any,  distinction  can  be  made  between  the  young  and 
old,  or  between  the  more  and  less  vicious,  where 
little  can  be  learned  but  the  ways  of  the  wicked,  and 
from  whence  they  must  be  sent  to  encounter  new 
wants,  new  temptations,  and  to  commit  new  crimes, 
is  to  pursue  a  course,  as  little  reconcileable  with  jus- 
tice as  humanity ;  yet,  till  the  House  of  Refuge  was 
established  there  was  no  alternative.  The  unfortu- 
nate child,  though  hardly  beyond  the  years  of  infancy 
who  had  committed  the  least  offence  was  doomed  to 


150 


a  confinement,  not  only  without  hope  of  his  reforma- 
tion, but  with  almost  a  certainty  that,  when  he  was 
discharged,  he  would  again  be  obnoxious  to  punish- 
ment; and  that  thus,  a  course  would  be  pursued, 
every  step  in  which,  would  lead  to  new  and  greater 
crimes. 

The  value  of  the  institution  of  which  we  are  the 
guardians,  will  not  be  duly  appreciated,  unless  this 
retrospect  be  taken,  and  this  dismal,  but  true  picture 
be  compared  with  that,  which  it  is  our  happiness  to 
be  able  to  present. — The  forlorn,  helpless,  aban- 
doned or  misled  child,  finds  a  comfortable  home 
under  our  roof.  He  is  supplied  with  food  and  rai- 
ment, and  is  surrounded  by  friends  who  devote  them- 
selves to  his  instruction.  He  acquires  habits  of  in- 
dustry and  regularity;  and  soon  sees  in  his  fellow- 
creatures,  who  are  around  him,  not  as  he  formerly  did, 
in  the  whole  human  race,  beings  whom  he  considered 
as  regardless  of  him  and  his  misery,  as  he  was  of 
them,  but  beneficent  guardians,  administering  to  his 
necessities,  endeavouring  to  render  him  virtuous,  to 
give  him  the  means  of  future  independence  and  hap- 
piness in  this  world,  and  to  show  him  the  right  path 
to  the  next. 

In  almost  every  case,  we  do  not  say  in  all  cases, 
the  discipline  of  the  institution  works  a  reformation. 
The  moral  faculties  are  awakened,  the  thoughts  of 
the  young  offender  are  turned,  often  with  regret,  upon 
his  past  life,  and  he  is  led  to  resolve  on  a  better 
course.  In  many  instances,  the  child  not  only  thinks 
of  his  future  condition  in  this  world,  but  his  mind  is 
filled  with  a  concern  for  his  eternal,  as  well  as  his 
temporal  welfare ;  a  conviction  is  produced  that  our 
happiness  in  this  life,  as  well  as  in  that  which  is  to 
come,  depends  on  a  due  application  of  our  moral  and 
physical  faculties.  The  transition  of  a  being  from  a 
life  of  want,  ignorance,  idleness,  corruption  and  hope- 
lessness, to  the  enjoyments  in  the  Refuge  of  comfort, 
to  the  relief  which  is  afforded  to  the  mind,  by  con- 
stant and  useful  employment,  to  the  knowledge  of 
good  and  evil,  to  the  hope  of  obtaining  an  honest  liv- 
ing, and  to  the  consolations  of  religion,  must  be  to 
him  as  a  new  birth. 


151 


That  these  are  not  visionary  or  exaggerated  views 
of  the  effects  of  the  institution,  will,  in  some  measure, 
appear  from  the  statements,  furnished  by  the  Super- 
intendent, of  the  eases  of  some  of  the  children  who 
have  been  received  into  the  House  of  Refuge,  and  by 
the  letters  from  some  who  have  been  apprenticed, 
and  from  persons  to  whom  they  have  been  bound. 
These  statements  and  letters  will  appear  in  the  Ap- 
pendix. It  is  true  they  relate  to  but  a  few  cases. 
Did  the  occasion  permit,  many  more  of  the  same  na- 
ture might  be  presented;  and  it  may  be  said  with 
great  truth,  that,  very  generally,  the  children  who 
have  been  taken  from  the  House  of  Refuge,  as  ap- 
prentices, have  evinced  the  benefit  they  derived 
from  the  institution,  and  have  merited  the  commenda- 
tions of  those  to  whose  care  they  have  been  entrusted. 
It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  several  of  those  who  ap- 
peared the  most  depraved,  when  they  came  into  the 
Refuge,  and  for  some  time  afterward  appeared  incor- 
rigible, have  subsequently  given  the  best  hopes  of 
their  entire  reformation. 

Since  the  establishment  was  opened,  on  the  first  of 
January,  1825,  to  the  commencement  of  the  present 
year,  five  hundred  and  twenty-seven  subjects  have 
been  received,  of  these  two  hundred  and  seventy-five 
have  been  bound  out,  and  of  the  latter,  only  twenty- 
two  have  been  returned  on  account  of  their  having 
given  dissatisfaction  to  those  to  whom  they  were  ap- 
prenticed. 

The  feeling  manifested  by  the  letters  from  the 
children,  towards  those  who  have  the  immediate 
care  of  them,  is  very  general,  while  they  are  in  the 
house,  and  is  not  always  lost  when  they  leave  it. 
Many  who  have  been  discharged  or  apprenticed,  have 
seemed  anxious  to  avail  themselves  of  an  opportunity 
of  visiting  the  place,  and  the  parents  of  their  reforma- 
tion. In  several  instances  reformed  youths,  after  an 
absence,  which  they  were  conscious  they  had  advan- 
tageously employed,  have  presented  themselves  to 
greet  those  to  whose  care  they  were  indebted,  with 
filial  affection,  and  with  full  hearts  to  express  their 
gratitude. 

The  course  of  these  remarks  leads  to  a  fit  occasion 


152 


for  the  Managers  to  state,  that  they  are  always  watch- 
ful of  their  officers,  who  have  the  immediate  care  and 
charge  of  the  children.  They  hav  e  been  led,  by  re- 
cent circumstances,  to  a  severe  scrutiny  of  the  con- 
duct of  their  Superintendent,  and  they  think  it  due 
to  him  to  avail  themselves  of  this  opportunity  to  say, 
that  they  have  been  confirmed  in  their  opinion  of  his 
strict  integrity,  his  capacity,  his  zeal  for  the  prosper- 
ity of  the  institution,  and  his  entire  devotion  to  the 
important  station  he  fills.  By  a  mild,  but  firm  conduct, 
he  maintains  order  and  discipline.  He  does  not  hes- 
itate to  resort  to  severity,  where  it  is  necessary.  His 
punishments  are  inflicted  with  discretion  and  modera- 
tion, and  always  with  an  appeal,  as  well  to  the  moral, 
as  to  the  corporal  feelings  of  the  delinquent;  so  that 
he  kindles  no  animosity;  but  on  the  contrary,  the  of- 
fenders and  their  companions,  while  they  acknowl- 
edge the  justice  of  the  chastisement,  do  not  regard 
him  by  whom  it  is  inflicted,  otherwise  than  as  their 
friend  and  benefactor.  The  Managers  would  not  be 
understood  as  applying  these  remarks,  as  to  the  effect 
of  punishments,  to  every  case  where  it  has  been  ne- 
cessary to  resort  to  the  severest  measures:  but  they 
are  warranted  as  being  applicable  in  most  instances, 
and  as  presenting  generally,  the  true  character  and 
efficacy  of  the  system  of  discipline  the  Managers  have 
adopted. 

The  rules  of  the  House  have  lately  been  revised, 
and  are  now  arranged  under  the  following  heads: — 
Employment,  Arrangement  of  Time,  Food,  Female 
and  Matron,  Punishments,  Wardsmen  and  Monitors, 
Classification,  Superintendent  and  Keeper,  Teachers 
and  Assistant  Keepers,  Acting  Committee,  Indentur- 
ing Committee,  and  Divine  Service.  The  titles  to 
these  regulations  indicate  the  subjects  to  which  the 
attention  of  the  Managers  has  been  particularly  di- 
rected. Experience  has  led  to  improvements  in  rela- 
tion to  most  of  them. — The  occasion  does  not  admit 
of  details,  but  the  rules  have  been  printed  and  pub- 
lished, and  those  who  feel  an  interest  in  the  establish- 
ment are  invited  to  examine  them.  It  will  be  seen, 
that  though  the  Managers  chiefly  rely  on  a  system  of 
moral  discipline,  yet,  moderate  corporal  chastisement 


153 


is  not  prohibited. — It  rarely  happens,  but  there  are 
some  natures  who  can  be  made  to  feel  only  through 
their  corporal  senses;  and  the  Managers  have  not 
been  willing  to  suffer  these  to  be  sacrificed  to  notions 
of  ultra-philanthropy,  which  would  abolish  all  punish- 
ments. 

The  introduction  of  the  supervision  of  a  Committee 
of  Ladies,  for  the  female  department,  is  an  improve- 
ment, the  benefits  of  which  are  constantly  felt. 

To  those  ladies  who  have  been  unremitting  in  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  they  have  assumed,  the  Man- 
agers feel  themselves  bound  to  make  their  acknowl- 
edgements. Their  last  annual  report  will  appear  in 
the  Appendix,  and  will  best  explain  what  services 
they  render,  and  the  manner  in  which  they  are  per- 
formed. 

There  have  been  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  during 
the  last  year,  including  those  who  were  left  there  the 
preceding  year,  three  hundred  and  thirty-seven  boys 
and  girls,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  have 
been  bound  out,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty-one  re- 
mained at  the  close  of  the  year.  For  information  in 
relation  to  the  respective  children  who  have  been  ap- 
prenticed, and  in  relation  to  the  employment  of  the 
subjects,  while  they  are  in  the  House,  as  well  as  for 
other  information,  the  Managers  must  refer  to  the 
subjoined  tables,  for  particulars  which  would  swell 
this  report  to  too  great  an  extent. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  this  report  can  not  be  clos- 
ed, without  adverting  to  a  subject,  which  is  very  far 
from  affording  any  grounds  of  satisfaction — it  is  the 
state  of  the  funds  and  the  revenue  of  the  institution. 
In  1826,  a  law  was  passed,  by  which  the  surplus  of 
the  receipts  of  the  Commissioners  of  Health,  after 
paying  all  the  expenses  of  the  Marine  Hospital  and 
leaving  an  ample  provision  for  repairs  and  contingen- 
cies, was  appropriated  to  the  maintenance  of  this 
charity.  As  it  was  ascertained  that  the  expenses  of 
the  Marine  Hospital  did  not,  at  that  time,  exceed  sev- 
enteen thousand  dollars  a  year,  that  the  receipts  were 
upwards  of  thirty-six  thousand  dollars  and  were  an- 
nually augmenting,  it  was  thought  ample  and  certain 
means  were  provided  for  the  House  of  Refuge.  The 

20 


134 


Managers,  however,  have  not  been  able  to  realise 
their  expectations  from  this  source,  and  find  them- 
selves now  short  of  the  necessary  funds.  They  can 
not  doubt  but  that  the  legislature  will  put  their  reve- 
nue on  a  certain  and  permanent  footing.  This  estab- 
lishment must  be  considered  as  an  integral  part  of  the 
penitentiary  system  which  has  been  adopted  by  the 
state;  it  may  be  said  to  be  the  foundation  on  which  the 
whole  superstructure  rests;  and  there  can  be  no  more 
reason  to  believe  that  the  legislature  will  withhold 
from  it  an  adequate  support,  than  there  is  to  believe 
that  they  will  abandon  the  principles  of  a  penal  code, 
which  marks  the  advancement  of  mankind  in  knowl- 
edge, civilization,  and  humanity. 

The  Managers,  while  on  this  subject,  beg  leave  to 
present  some  extracts  from  a  report  of  a  Committee  of 
the  Senate,  which  introduced  the  law  of  1826. 

The  Committee  say  "If  the  House  of  Refuge  were 
to  be  considered  merely  as  a  place  where  so  many 
children  may  be  rescued  from  poverty,  reclaimed  from 
the  haunts  of  vice  and  wretchedness,  protected,  in- 
structed, and  reformed,  it  would  be  a  charity  having 
the  highest  claims  to  the  bounty  and  liberality  of  the 
government;  but  when  viewed  as  a  means  by  which 
the  perpetration  of  crimes  will  be  prevented,  and  if 
the  increased  number  of  criminals  be  considered, 
wrhich,  without  it,  the  state  would  be  obliged  to  main- 
tain in  our  prisons,  it  is  believed  that  a  regard  to  econ- 
omy alone  would  require  the  support  of  the  institution. 
There  is  hardly  a  child  who  will  be  condemned  to  the 
House  of  Refuge,  who  if  left  to  the  course,  which  will 
bring  him  there,  would  not  finally  become  a  charge  to 
the  state  as  a  convict.    The  evidence  of  this  is  that  a 
very  large  proportion,  as  your  Committee  are  inform- 
ed and  believe,  of  the  persons  who  are  now  confined 
in  our  state  prisons,  commenced  their  career  in  crime, 
when  they  were  children,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  or 
in  some  other  large  cities.    One  person,  in  particular, 
who  is  now  confined  in  the  prison  at  Auburn,  was  first 
convicted  when  he  was  only  ten  years  old,  and  has 
since,  at  different  times,  been  twenty-eight  years  a 
convict,  supported  by  the  state  at  an  expense  of  not 
less  than  two  thousand  dollars.    This  case  which  is 


155 


by  no  means  singular,  except  as  to  time,  shews,  at 
once,  what  may  be  the  advantages,  even  in  point  of 
economy,  of  an  institution  which  will  arrest  young  of- 
fenders in  their  criminal  course,  and  at  the  same  time 
is  an  evidence  that  confinement  in  our  state  prisons 
is  ill  calculated  to  produce  reformation  in  young  per- 
sons. 

"Since  the  House  of  Refuge  was  opened,"  contin- 
ues the  same  report,  "the  number  of  children  who 
have  been  brought  to  the  bar  of  the  criminal  courts 
in  JNew-York,  has  lessened  in  the  proportion  of  four  to 
one." 

The  institution,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  set  on 
foot,  and  was  for  some  time  maintained  by  voluntary 
contributions,  to  the  amount  of  upwards  of  twenty- 
thousand  dollars,  from  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  New- 
York;  adverting  to  this  circumstance,  the  report  from 
which  the  above  quotations  are  made,  adds,  "it  is  not 
to  be  expected  that  this  institution  will  longer  be  sup- 
ported by  private  charitable  contributions.  It  would 
be  unjust  to  require  that  an  establishment  of  such  pub- 
lic benefit  should  be  sustained  at  the  expense  of  indi- 
viduals. Unless  the  state  affords  it  efficient  aid,  it 
must  fall.  If  this  were  to  happen,  while  other  states, 
under  a  conviction  of  its  great  utility,  are  adopting 
similar  institutions,  entirely  at  the  public  charge,  we 
must  be  deprived  of  the  great  advantages  ours  must 
afford." 

The  Managers  will  add,  in  the  language  of  a  memo- 
rial they  presented  to  the  legislature,  last  year,  that 
in  such  an  event,  "the  children  who  have  found  ref- 
uge in  this  asylum,  must  be  turned  upon  society  to  pur- 
sue a  course  which  must  again  bring  them  to  the  bars 
of  our  criminal  courts,  from  thence  to  be  sent  to  our 
penitentiaries  and  state  prisons,  there  to  be  main- 
tained, as  irreclaimable  criminals,  at  a  greater  expense 
to  the  state  than  would  be  required  to  continue  the 
support  of  an  institution,  in  which  they  may  receive 
moral  and  religious  instruction,  acquire  habits  of  in- 
dustry, be  reformed,  and  fitted  to  be  useful  members 
of  society." 

As  there  has  been  much  misunderstanding,  in  rela- 
tion to  the  application  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  of  a 


156 


portion  of  the  money  collected  by  the  Commission- 
ers of  Health,  a  copy  of  a  memorial  presented  to  the 
legislature  last  year,  containing  a  full  elucidation  of 
that  matter,  is  subjoined  in  the  Appendix.  It  will  be 
seen  that  no  part  of  the  contribution  of  mariners,  to 
the  Hospital  fund,  was  ever  touched;  but  that  on  the 
contrary,  the  Managers  of  the  House  of  Refuge  could 
only  receive  a  part  of  what  was  paid  by  passengers, 
the  most  of  whom  are  foreigners.  How  just  and  ap- 
propriate a  disposition,  of  this  contribution  from  emi- 
grants, was  made  by  the  law  of  1826,  will  appear  by 
the  fact,  that  of  the  five  hundred  and  thirty-three  sub- 
jects, who  have  been  received  into  the  House  of  Re- 
fuge, two  hundred  and  ninety-six,  that  is  very  consid- 
erably more  than  half,  were  born  abroad,  or  were  the 
children  of  foreigners.  And  of  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine  received  last  year,  ninety-three  or  nearly  two- 
thirds  were  of  European  parents. 

That  it  may  be  seen  in  what  manner  the  Managers 
exercise  the  power  given  to  them,  to  bind  out  the  chil- 
dren committed  to  their  care,  they  subjoin,  in  the  Ap- 
pendix, circular  letters,  copies  of  which  go  with  every 
apprentice  taken  from  the  institution. 

In  conclusion,  the  Managers  have  only  to  say,  that 
they  desire  nothing  more  than  the  moderate  means 
necessary  to  support  the  institution;  and  relying  on 
the  disposition  which  has  been  heretofore  manifested 
by  the  legislature,  to  support  an  establishment  which, 
the  Managers  believe,  was  justly  characterised  by 
the  late  governor,  as  "the  best  penitentiary  institution 
ever  devised  by  the  wit,  and  established  by  the  bene- 
ficence of  man;"  and  relying  on  a  continuance  of  their 
own  zeal  and  exertions,  which  have  hitherto  overcome 
every  difficulty,  they  cannot  but  hope  that  the  estab- 
lishment will  be  maintained,  and  transmitted  to  pos- 
terity, as  an  evidence  of  the  wisdom  and  humanity  of 
their  ancestors. 


157 


SELECTION  OF  CASES  ANJ>  LETTERS 

From  Apprentices,  and  from  Persons  to  whom  Apprentices 
have  been  bound. 

BOYS. 

September  17,  1826. 

J.  B. — from  a  court  of  General  Sessions,  aged  16  years  the  25th 
of  July  last.  Born  in  New- York — his  father  is  dead,  his  mother 
keeps  a  confectionary  store  in  New- York.  About  two  years  since 
J.  went  to  live  with  Mr.  M.,  a  tailor  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
continued  but  a  short  time,  and  quit ;  being  an  only  child,  was 
greatly  indulged  ;  soon  after  he  went  on  board  of  a  packet,  that 
sailed  from  New-York  to  Baltimore,  &c. 

His  first  thefts  were  small  amounts  of  money  from  his  mother, 
then  old  rope,  copper,  &c.  with  his  companions,  who  were  of  the 
worst  class  of  thieves,  passers  of  counterfeit  money,  &c.  A  man 
by  the  name  of  King,  informed  him  where  he  could  steal  a  watch, 
which  he  succeeded  in  obtaining :  King  sold  the  watch  for  ten  dol- 
lars, and  divided  the  money  with  J.  He  also  took  from  the  money 
drawer  of  a  grocer  in  Grand-street,  twenty-five  dollars.  Once  in 
company  with  J.  C.  and  H.  H.,  they  went  to  Philadelphia  on  a 
cruise ;  they  there  stole  several  pieces  of  linen  and  muslin  ;  by  going 
into  gentlemen's  kitchens  after  dinner,  they  stole  two  or  three 
dozen  silver  spoons  ;  he  then  entered  a  house  in  the  day  time, 
finding  the  front  door  not  fastened,  went  up  stairs,  shook  the  trunks 
to  find  where  he  could  get  the  most  valuable  articles,  cut  the  leather 
hinges  of  a  trunk,  took  from  it  twelve  dollars  in  silver,  a  valuable 
silver  repeating  watch,  which  he  sold  for  eighteen  dollars,  two 
coats,  linen  shirts,  and  pantaloons. 

In  New-York,  he  went  with  A.  D.  a  butcher,  they  entered  houses 
and  stole  clothing.  Once  in  Philadelphia,  he  was  taken  up  and 
put  into  the  work-house,  for  having  a  gentleman's  coat  which  he 
knew  and  swore  to ;  but  when  the  court  came  to  look  for  the 
marks  that  the  owner  had  described,  they  were  not  to  be  found, 
J.  having  taken  them  out ;  he  in  consequence  was  discharged.  In 
company  with  H.  T.  and  R.  D.,  they  stole,  near  Fulton  market, 
18  gold  watch  keys — on  the  following  Monday  morning  about  three 
o'clock,  they  broke  open  the  same  store,  and  took  all  the  valuable 
property  they  could  find,  amounting  in  value,  he  thinks,  to  about 
three  hundred  dollars  :  he  has  been  in  Bridewell  three  times. 

For  several  months  after  J.  became  an  inmate  of  this  Institution, 
he  evinced  an  unhappy,  discontented  turn  of  mind,  and  was  fixed 
on  making  his  escape,  if  an  opportunity  should  afford.  It  was 
found  necessary  to  deal  strictly  with  him,  and  to  keep  a  watchful 
eye  constantly  over  him ;  by  degrees  we  discovered  his  feelings  to 
change,  until  he  became  one  of  the  most  pleasant  and  agreeable 
boys  in  his  class.  We  find  the  following  remark  posted  to  his 
history. 


1.58 


1828,  January  2, — J.  was  this  day  indentured  to  Mr.  M.  P.,  of 
T.  town,  S.  Co.  New-York,  farmer. 

Previous  to  his  coming  here,  he  was  a  wild  youth,  but  has  con- 
ducted himself  uniformly  well  for  nearly  a  year ;  he  became 
pleasant  and  agreeable  in  his  manners,  and  industrious  in  his 
habits. 

T  ,  £  Co.  February  25, 1828. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  C.  Hart, 

Dear  Sir, — This  will  inform  you  that  I  find  in  J.  B.  a  very 
good  boy  ;  he  appears  to  possess  a  modest  and  excellent  disposi- 
tion, and  in  my  estimation  bids  fair  to  make  a  useful  citizen.  He 
appears  to  be  very  contented,  and  thinks  he  should  not  be  so  happy 
in  any  other  situation. 

He  wishes  to  see  Mr.  Hart,  (of  whom  he  speaks  very  highly,) 
and  also  his  former  mates  in  the  Refuge.  He  appears  to  be  far 
from  those  vices  which  generally  characterize  boys  of  his  class  and 
age,  and  improves  well  in  our  line  of  business.  I  think  he  pos- 
sesses all  the  qualities  of  a  good  moral  young  man,  and  I  shall  en- 
deavor to  instruct  him  in  the  way  he  should  go. 

I  should  be  pleased  to  hear  from  either  yourself  or  the  committee 
at  any  time,  and  more  so  should  you  ever  think  proper  to  call  on 
us  personally. 

Receive  the  sincere  respects  of  Yours,  &c. 

(Signed)  M.  P. 

The  following  is  from  the  boy  alluded  to  in  the  above  letter. 
My  Dear  Frienb,  Mr.  Hart, 

I  let  you  know  that  I  am  well,  and  hope  this  may  find  you  are 
the  same,  not  forgetting  Mr.  Miller,  Miss  Goewey  and  Miss  Weaver, 
and  all  my  former  fellow  inmates. 

I  like  the  gentleman  I  live  with  better  than  I  thought  I  shouW, 
and  he  is  as  clever  to  me  as  I  wish  him  to  be.  Mr.  Hart  will  please 
read  this  letter  to  the  boys  I  left  behind  me,  and  I  hope  they  may 
all  abide  by  the  two  rules  of  the  House  ;  they  are  simple,  but  true 
to  them  that  follow  them.  I  shall  follow  them  as  long  as  I  can 
**  speak  the  truth  at  all  times,"  and  then  we  will  find  friends  al- 
ways. I  hope  I  may  soon  return  and  see  you  all  as  well  as  I  left 
you. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  House  of  Refuge  ;  it  is  the  home  I  was 
looking  for,  long  before  I  came  there  :  but  I  found  it  at  last,  and  if 
I  had  not  found  it,  where  should  I  have  been  now,  not  where  I  now 
am  learning  a  good  trade. 

I  remain  yours  affectionately, 

J.  B. 

May  10,  1826. 

N.  S.,  from  the  commissioners,  aged  14  years  the  27th  June, 
born  in  New-York  of  Irish  parents.  His  father  died  about  eight 
years  since ;  his  mother  is  a  widow,  and  has  been  confined  to  the 
house  above  a  year,  with  the  consumption. 

About  three  years  since  he  was  sent  to  the  Aims-House,  from 
whence  he  was  put  to  live  with  Lieut.  B.  at  fortD.,  where  he  stayed 
about  one  year,  when  he  returned  to  his  mother  ;  soon  after  he  was 
put  on  board  the  ship  I.,  and  made  a  voyage  to  C. ;  after  he  re- 
turned, he  shipped  on  board  the  C,  and  made  another  voyage  to 


159 


C. ;  he  returned  about  six  months  since,  and  has  played  about  the 
streets  ever  since.  He  once  stole  a  copper  kettle  and  some  old 
iron  from  his  mother,  which  he  sold — says  he  never  stole  any  thing 
from  any  one  else.  His  mother  wanted  him  to  learn  a  trade,  but 
he  liked  to  play  too  well  to  work  at  any  trade.  He  says  he  had 
rather  learn  a  trade  than  go  to  sea.    Enters  6th  class. 

Previous  to  N.  being  brought  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  we  knew 
him  to  be  a  very  bad  boy,  associating  with  the  worst  of  boys,  idling 
about  the  streets,  and  was  pointed  at,  as  a  boy  swiftly  running  to 
destruction.  But  since  he  has  been  introduced  to  regular  habits  of 
industry  and  obedience,  he  has  become  one  of  the  smartest  boys  in 
the  shop  that  he  works  in,  improved  smartly  in  his  education,  was 
promoted  to  the  class  of  honor,  and  left  the  House  in  a  good  state 
of  mind. 

March  5,  1827,  He  is  indentured  to  Mr.  S.  H.,  of  P.  P.,  D.  Co., 
Blacksmith. 

p*#*  p##*##  Co.,  April  14,  1828. 

Dear  Sir, — Agreeably  to  your  request,  and  in  compliance  with 
my  promise,  I  address  you  on  the  subject  of  N.  S.,  whom  I  took 
from  the  House  of  Refuge  in  November  last.  I  shall  not  be  under 
the  necessity  of  multiplying  many  words  on  the  subject,  but  can 
with  propriety  make  the  following  remarks.  N.,  while  living  with 
me,  has  behaved  well  in  every  respect ;  has  been  industrious  and 
attentive  to  his  business;  has  not  frequented  bad  company,  nor 
shown  a  disposition  so  to  do  ;  and  should  he  pursue  his  present 
course  of  conduct  and  attention  to  business,  I  have  no  hesitation  in 
saying,  he  will  make  a  respectable  man,  and  a  first  rate  workman. 
Yours  Respectfully, 

(Signed)  S.  H. 

December  2,  1 826. 

W.  C.  from  the  Police,  aged  twelve  years  the  22d  May  ;  born  in 
New-York ;  his  father  and  mother  have  been  dead  about  two  years. 
His  father,  at  his  decease,  left  a  lot  of  ground,  with  a  front  and 
rear  house  thereon  for  the  children,  six  in  number :  his  sisters  oc- 
cupy the  rear  house,  and  take  care  of  the  property,  and  the  small 
children.  He  went  once  to  live  with  Mr.  P.,  a  farmer  in  the  coun- 
try, disliked  and  quit  after  staying  three  months,  then  with  Mr.  F. 
in  R.,  continued  two  years  and  quit.  After  his  return  from  the 
country,  he  went  to  live  with  Mr.  C.  a  cooper,  and  quit  after  three 
months.  He  was  recently  indentured  to  Mr.  W.  B.,  a  coppersmith, 
continued  four  months,  and  ran  away  because  his  master  punished 
him  for  a  fault  about  two  weeks  since. 

The  first  thing  he  stole  was  cakes  from  his  mother,  the  next  ap- 
ples from  a  grocery ;  while  an  apprentice  to  Mr.  B.,  he  stole  cop- 
per twice,  (about  six  pounds)  and  to  avoid  punishment  for  it  after 
being  detected,  he  ran  away  from  him.  He  used  to  associate  with 
bad  boys,  who  used  to  steal  Qld  rope,  iron,  &c. 

He  and  seven  or  eight  other  boys,  were  found  in  an  indicted 
grocery,  playing  cards,  for  which  he  was  sent  here. 

December  2,  1826. 
J.  A.  M.  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  14  years  the  12th  of 
July  last.    Born  in  New-York;  his  father  has  been  dead  nine 
months.    His  mother  resides  in  this  city  ;  nurses  for  a  living.  The 


160 


only  bad  trait  I  can  find  in  J.,  is  that  his  mother  cannot  control 
him,  nor  keep  him  at  any  place  to  which  she  puts  him :  he  says  he 
never  stole  any  thing. 

November  24,  1827. 
W.  C.  was  this  day  indentured  to  Mr.  J.  B.  L.,  paper  manufactu- 
rer, of  N.  P.  (N.  J.) 

November  24,  1827. 
J.  A.  M.  was  this  day  indentured  to  Mr.  J.  B.  L.,  of  N.  P.  (N.  J.) 

jV*#*  p*#***#*  April  25,  1828. 
Dear  Sir, — An  apology  is  due  you,  for  having  delayed  so  long 
answering  your  letter,  asking  information  in  regard  to  the  beha- 
vior of  J.  A.  M.  and  W.  C,  from  the  House  of  Refuge,  under  my 
charge. 

Had  any  thing  censurable  occurred  in  their  conduct  deserving 
particular  notice,  I  should  have  immediately  informed  you  on  the 
subject :  but  so  exemplary  and  praiseworthy  has  been  their  de- 
portment, that  not  a  single  act  indicative  of  their  former  abandon- 
ment has  fallen  under  my  observation  or  come  to  my  knowledge. 

So  effectual  indeed  has  been  the  treatment  pursued  at  the  Ref- 
uge, in  reclaiming  them  from  vice  and  vicious  habits,  that  the  most 
willing  obedience  has  been  rendered  to  all  directions  given  them, 
without  the  necessity  of  punishment  in  any  one  instance. 

No  stronger  proofs  of  the  utility  and  benefits  derivable  from  an 
institution,  intended  for  the  reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents, 
need  be  pursued  to  my  mind,  than  those  cases  under  my  immedi- 
ate observation,  to  impress  me  with  the  hope  of  its  prosperity  and 
success,  equal  to  the  wishes  of  its  most  sanguine  supporters. 

Yours  sincerely, 
(Signed)  J.  B.  L. 

April  27,  1828. 

J.  B.  C.  from  the  commissioners,  aged  15  years,  the  24th  of 
August ;  born  in  New-York,  of  Irish  parents.  His  father  is  quite 
intemperate  ;  his  mother  he  has  not  seen  in  three  months,  nor 
does  he  know  where  she  lives ;  he  says  he  never  stole  any  thing  ; 
he  has  been  in  the  practice  of  drinking  pretty  freely,  beer,  wine, 
rum,  and  cider ;  he  was  often  seen  staggering  about  the  streets, 
fighting  and  quarrelling  to  the  great  annoyance  of  his  neighbors ; 
he  says  he  was  sent  here  because  he  would  not  stay  at  the  Aims- 
House,  until  Alderman  Burtis  could  get  him  a  place. 

Remarks. 

Proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  troublesome  boys  ever  sent  to  the 
House ;  bold  and  daring,  influencing  others  to  venture  in  his  exploits ; 
made  his  escape  four  times,  and  made  two  unsuccessful  attempts^to 
escape.  In  one  of  his  attempts  to  escape,  he  made  use  of  three 
sheets  and  a  small  cord  that  was  attached  to  his  hammock ;  these 
he  fastened  together,  broke  through  the  upper  part  of  his  cell,  into 
the  garret,  broke  out  one  of  the  circular  blinds,  and  while  in  the 
act  of  letting  himself  down,  the  cord  broke,  and  he  fell  twenty- 
eight  or  thirty  feet,  which  broke  six  of  his  bones  ;  yet  he  recovered 
and  wras  still  bent  on  being  wicked,  until  the  softening  grace  of 
God  touched  his  heart,  and  made  a  deep  impression :  although  we 
do  not  believe  he  is  a  thoroughly  changed  boy,  yet  the  deep  im- 


181 


p-ression  was  visible  and  lasting,  and  notwithstanding  we  believe 
he  received  the  worst  and  severest  punishments  of  any  boy  in  the 
House,  yet  he  left  us  with  the  most  cordial  feelings,  determined  to 
become  a  man  of  respectability. 

December  16,  1827. 

J.  is  indentured  to  Mr.  S.  M.  of  N.,  to  go  a  whaling  voyage. 

The  Superintendent  has  since  received  a  letter  from  his  captain, 
who  states,  that  he  shall  try  to  teach  J.  navigation,  and  "knows 
no  reason  why  he  should  not  become  a  captain  of  a  ship." 

Brazil  Banks,  on  board  the  ship  2T.,  in 
lat.  42m,  51  deg.  S.  Feb.  29,  1828. 
Dear  Sir, — I  embrace  this  opportunity,  to  inform  you  that  we 
are  all  well,  and  if  it  was  not  for  the  thoughts  of  those  friends  we 
left  behind,  would  be  happy.  Shortly  after  I  sent  you  my  last,  we 
dropped  down  below  the  flats,  and  on  the  22d  of  December,  we 
weighed  anchor,  and  set  sail  for  the  Pacific  Ocean ;  we  had  pleas- 
ant weather  until  we  were  out  three  days,  when  we  experienced 
much  bad  weather,  until  about  the  30th,  when  we  crossed  the  gulf 
stream,  and  got  in  warm  weather  ;  from  then  till  the  14th  of  Jan- 
uary, when  the  man  from  the  mast  head,  cried  out  whales !  we 
lowered  our  boats,  and  pulled  after  them ;  after  rowing  two  or 
three  hours  we  fastened  on  one,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him 
turn  up ;  we  got  him  alongside  about  one  o'clock,  A.  M.  ;  we  got 
the  rigging  all  ready,  and  next  morning  cut  him  in.  This  whale 
was  but  a  small  one  in  comparison  to  some,  but  I  thought  it  was  a 
monster. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  this  whale ; 
he  was  of  an  immense  bulk,  his  body  is  covered  over  with  a  blacjt 
skin,  about  the  eighth  of  an  inch  thick,  so  hard  that  it  is  difficult  to 
cut  unless  the  knife  is  very  sharp,  his  head  is  long  and  square,  and 
his  jaws  are  about  fifteen  feet  long. 

This  morning  we  fell  in  with  the  ship  Ontario,  of  Nantucket, 
which  ship  is  nearly  full,  and  is  expected  to  go  home  in  a  short 
time,  so  I  thought  I  would  take  this  opportunity  to  let  you  hear 
from  me.  Give  my  best  respects  to  Mr,  Collins,  and  all  enquiring 
friends. 

Please  excuse  this  miserable  writing,  as  I  am  so  hurried  on  ac- 
count of  sending  the  oil  we  have  on  board  of  the  Ontario. 

We  are  yours,  with  the  most  perfect  respect  and  esteem, 
(Signed)  J.  B.  C. 

J.  M.  and  W.  E. 

Here  the  Committee  would  remark  that  from  another  captain, 
who  wrote  to  his  owners  in  Nantucket,  having  five  or  six  Refuge 
boys  on  board  ;  he  says  "  they  are  the  best  sailors  I  have  in  my 
ship ;"  and  another  who  has  about  as  manv,  savs  "  they  are  fine 
fellows." 

May  4,  1826. 

D.  M'N.,  from  the  Sessions,  aged  twenty  years  the  4th  of  April; 
born  in  Scotland,  his  parents  are  living.  About  three  years  since, 
he  came  to  Charleston,  (S.  C.)  to  seek  employment  as  an  account- 
ant, he  was  received  by  his  uncle,  a  wheel-wright  in  that  place. 
About  one  month  after  his  arrival,  he  hired  to  J.  R.,  a  grocer, 
where  he  lived  about  sixteen  months,  then  returned  to  his  uncle, 

21 


162 


the  wheel-Wright,  and  remained  with  him  about  one  year,  and  kept 
his  books;  in  November  he  took  passage  for  New-York,  and  took 
board  with  R.  T.,  a  ship  carpenter  in  C.  street,  a  man  that  he  had 
known  in  Charleston.  Until  February,  he  did  no  work,  but  spent 
his  time  in  walking  the  streets,  and  in  public  houses,  he  then  took 
board  in  O.  street,  at  Mr.  B's  porter-house,  where  there  was  card 
playing.    He  used  to  play,  but  not  for  money. 

The  first  theft  he  ever  committed,  was  in  stealing  nine  dollars 
from  the  pocket  of  a  fellow  boarder,  which  money  he  spent,  while 
he  boarded  in  O.  street ;  he  became  acquainted  with  J.  H.  about 
eighteen  years  of  age,  who  was  in  the  habit  of  stealing;  he  went 
with  him  and  stole  from  a  dwelling  house,  a  coat,  which'  they  sold 
in  Catharine-street,  for  four  dollars  ;  about  one  week  after,  in  com- 
pany with  the  same  boy,  stole  a  time-piece,  for  which  he  was  taken* 
up,  tried,  and  sent  here.  Last  December  he  stole  from  a  fellow 
boarder,  twenty-five  dollars ;  he  was  taken  up,  tried,  and  sent  to 
the  penitentiary  for  four  months,  which  time  expired  on  the  14th 
of  April  last.    Enters  9th  class, 

April  4,  1827. 

He  is  sent  to  sea,  on  a  whaling  voyage  from  Nantucket. 

On  board  the  ship  p****# 

Sir — I  hope  this  will  find  you  in  good  health,  as  this  leaves  me- 
at present.  The  four  boys  aboard  here,  are  all  in  good  health; 
they  send  their  best  respects  to  you:  please  give  my  best  respects 
to  Mr.  M.  B.  Hart,  and  to  all  the  boys.  I  have  seen  M.  W.  and 
W.  S.  about  three  weeks  ago ;  they  were  both  in  good  health  at  that 
time.  M.  W.  saw  J.  C.  in  a  port  of  South  America,  who  told  him 
that  W.  P.  was  lost  off  Cape  Horn.  I  have  not  seen  the  ship  that 
he  sailed  in  myself:  I  will  write  you  the  news  more  particularly 
when  we  get  into  port,  which  w  ill  be  in  the  course  of  one  month,, 
from  this  date.  We  have  got  at  this  date,  seven  hundred  barrels  of 
sperm  oil :  our  ship  holds  about  twenty-seven  hundred  barrels. 
Since  we  came  round  Cape  Horn,  Captain  C.  has  taken  me  as 
steward  and  clerk;  he  is  a  very  fine  man,  he  has  told  me  several 
times,  he  will  instruct  me  in  the  art  of  navigation,  as  much  as  is 
in  his  powrer.  Excuse  bad  writing,  as  the  ship  by  which  I  send  this, 
is  laying  by  for  our  letters.  No  more  at  present,  but  remain  your 
affectionate  servant, 

(Signed)  D.  M'N. 

P.  S.  I  hope  the  boys  are  all  getting  on  well  with  their  learning ; 
they  will  all  find  that  it  is  most  to  their  advantage,  to  pay  attention 
to  it  while  they  have  an  opportunity.    1  wont  forget  the  shells. 

D.  M'N. 

18th  February,  1828,  lat  5  deg.  ? 
4min.  south.  Ion.  107  deg.  west.  $ 

J.  W. — from  the  Commissioners,  aged  fourteen  years  in  Septem- 
ber 1826.    Born  in  New-York,  of  English  parents. 

J.  lost  his  mother  about  three  years  since  :  he  had  attended  Free 
School  No.  1  about  three  yeais,  without  playing  truant  one  day: 
but  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  he  was  solicited  by  J.  M.  and  F. 
M.  to  play  truant  from  school,  which  he  feared  at  first  to  do ;  but 
they  at  last  succeeded  in  persuading  him.  He  was  absent  one 
month,  before  he  was  found  out,  during  which  time,  he  had  become 


163 


pretty  well  initiated  in  the  practice  of  stealing  lead  from  buildings, 
ships,  &c,  old  iron,  copper,  and  the  like ;  and  has  constantly  been 
in  the  practice  of  running  away  from  his  father's  house  since. 

After  practising  awhile  with  the  M's  in  stealing  lead,  pewter, 
zinc,  old  rope,  &c,  the  company  was  increased  by  G.  S.,  G.  B., 
W.  S.,  H.  and  J.  H.,  J.  H.,  and  others.  In  consequence  of  their 
frequently  climbing  to  the  tops  of  houses  after  lead,  they  discovered 
a  way  to  enter  stores  and  houses  through  the  scuttles,  at  which  they 
became  very  expert,  insomuch  that  they  would  sometimes  enter  a 
half  dozen  stores  in  a  single  night.  .This  boy,  and  J.  H.  at  one 
time  entered  a'  store  in  Broad-street,  and  obtained  $40,  which  they 
divided ;  it  proved,  (he  says,)  to  be  counterfeit.  At  another  time, 
in  company  with  M.  M.,  they  broke  open  an  office  on  the  corner 
of  Spruce  and  Nassau-streets,  broke  open  a  desk,  and  stole  $18  in 
gold,  &c.    Enters  7th  Class. 

Remark. 

J.  is  a  smart  boy,  and  has  improved  very  much,  and  if  his  lot 
should  in  time  be  cast  with  a  prudent  man,  would,  we  trust,  make 
a  good  citizen :  he  possesses  a  good  bright  intellect. 

J.  is  indentured  to  Mr.  A.  B.  of  B.  C. 

B  1,  July  13th,  1828. 

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart, 

Sir, — Agreeably  to  your  request,  I  transmit  to  you  an  account 
of  J.  W.  the  boy  taken  from  the  House  of  Refuge  in  March  last. 
It  is  now  a  little  over  three  months  that  he  has  been  with  me,  and 
he  has,  I  think,  improved  very  much,  both  in  work  and  in  his  stu- 
dies :  he  has  been  so  far  faithful  and  obedient,  and  appears  willing 
to  do  as  well  as  he  knows  how  in  all  things ;  he  attends  church  and 
Sunday  School  regularly  every  Sabbath,  and  his  evenings  are  em- 
ployed in  study,  spelling,  reading,  writing  and  ciphering,  as  is  most 
convenient,  or  as  we  think  most  proper.  We  do  not  allow  him  to 
associate  with  other  boys  of  the  neighborhood,  therefore  his  time 
and  attention  must  be  devoted  to  his  work  or  studies.  He  has  the 
same  treatment  and  privileges  as  one  of  our  family,  and  I  doubt  not 
but  he  finds  it  a  good  home :  he  appears  very  well  pleased  with  his 
business  and  situation,  and  if  he  continues  to  do  as  well  as  he  has 
done,  as  I  have  every  reason  to  suppose,  he  will,  with  proper  at- 
tention, become  a  respectable  and  worthy  citizen. 

J.  frequently  speaks  of  Mr.  Hart,  and  desires  at  this  time  to  be 
remembered  to  you,  also  to  the  boys  generally,  and  hopes  or  wishes, 
that  they  will  all  do  better  and  become  good.  I  have  given  J. 
some  little  trees,  and  some  cuttings  of  the  vine,  which  he  appears 
to  be  much  pleased  with,  and  wishes  to  know  how  long  before  they 
will  bear  grapes,  as  he  will  send  some  to  Mr.  Hart.  I  hope  he  will 
soon  be  able  to  write  sufficiently  well  to  write  to  you  himself.  And 
wishing  you  good  success,  in  so  good  a  cause  as  that  to  which  you 
are  devoted,  I  remain  your  very  obedient  servant. 

A.  B. 

E.  M'L. — from  the  Commissioners,  aged  sixteen  years  the  1st  of 
May  1827,  born  in  N.  Y.  of  Irish  parents.  His  father  died  about 
one  year  since;  his  mother  resides  in  this  city,  owns  the  house  in 
which  she  lives,  and  receives  about  $3  per  week  rent.    His  first 


164 


place  of  residence  was  with  Mr.  Z.  a  baker  in  S.  street:  he  warn 
employed  in  carrying  out  and  selling  rusk :  he  continued  three 
weeks.  The  next  and  last  place  was  with  Mr.  P.  in  N.  J.  to  learn 
the  shoe-making  business:  continued  two  weeks  and  quit.  Then 
to  selling  fish,  clams,  &lc.  about  the  streets :  would  drink  frequent- 
ly, and  occasionally  become  intoxicated. 

The  first  thing  he  stole  was  sixpence  from  his  mother,  then  an 
apple  from  a  Mrs.  S.  then  a  fishing  line  from  an  associate,  then  two 
shillings  while  selling  fish,  next  a  ball  from  P.  B.  and  again  six- 
pence, &c.  &lc.  Was  a  frequent  visiter  of  theatres,  circuses,  &c. 
-was  disobedient  to  his  mother,  was  finally  taken  up  at  a  late  hour 
drunk,  while  returning  from  Mount  Pitt  circus,  carried  to  the  watch- 
house,  and  sent. from  there  here.    Enters  Sixth  Class. 

After  having  been  in  the  house  some  months,  and  manifested  to 
our  satisfaction  a  disposition  to  do  as  well  as  he  knew  how,  was 
advanced  to  the  station  of  guard,  which  station  he  filled  with  faith- 
fulness and  integrity,  until  June  1828,  when  he  was  indentured  to 
Mr.  W.  M.  a  hatter,  at  C.  R.,  W.  county,  N.  Y. 

C.  R.  August  1st. 

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart, 

Sir, — As  it  has  been  your  wish  that  I  should  write,  I  now  take 
the  opportunity  of  informing  you,  that  my  boy,  E.  M'L.  has  been 
very  steady  and  attentive  to  his  business  ever  since  I  have  had  him: 
for  so  far,  I  must  say,  I  never  had  a  better  boy:  he  gains  in  learning 
the  hatting  business  as  fast  as  can  be  expected. 

Yours,  respectfully, 
(Signed)  W.  M. 

December,  1828. 
E.  M'L.  called  to  see  us,  with  a  very  pleasing  letter  from  his 
master,  who  in  consequence  of  his  good  conduct,  had  permitted 
him  to  visit  his  mother.  E.  expressed  his  intentions  to  do  as  well 
as  he  knew  how,  of  his  pleasure  in  his  master,  and  his  determina- 
tion to  stay  and  learn  his  trade. 

C.  T.  S.,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  fifteen  years  the  5th  of 
July,  1826,  born  in  N.  Y. — His  father  and  mother  removed  to  P., 
N.  J.  two  years  ago.  C.  returned  to  this  city  three  months  since, 
and  went  to  live  with  Mr.  B.  a  shoe-maker,  inC.  street ;  continued 
six  or  seven  weeks,  and  absconded.  He  first  stole  fruit  from  the 
marketplaces,  next  a  pair  of  spurs  from  a  livery  stable  in  Bancker- 
street,  cakes  from  shops,  and  many  other  things  which  he  cannot 
recollect.    Enters  Fourth  Class. 

May,  1828.— C.  was  indentured  to  Mr.  W.  H.  P.  of  P.  O.  county, 
N.  Y. 

P.  August  19th,  1828. 

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart, 

Respected  Friend  and  Benefactor, — Since  T  left  your  place 
of  confinement,  I  have  been  constantly  employed  in  the  factory, 
with  which  business  I  am  much  pleased ;  and  by  strict  attention  to 
my  business,  I  expect  to  become  acquainted  with  a  trade  that  will 
afford  me  a  full  employment,  and  of  course  a  good  living. 

I  have  been  regularly  to  meeting  every  other  Sabbath,  which  is 
four  miles  from  this  place,  and  to  Sabbath  School  every  week, 


165 


which  is  half  a  mile.  At  this  place  there  is  an  abundance  of  fruit  of 
all  kinds,  which  I  can  have  in  any  quantity  by  asking  for  it,  and 
that  without  pay.    I  have  been  well  and  hearty  since  I  left  vou. 

(Signed,)  C.  S. 

August  19th,  1828. 

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart, 

Dear  Sir, — The  writer  of  the  foregoing  letter,  C.  S.  appears  to 
be  well  satisfied  with  the  business  he  is  employed  at,  and  also  with 
his  exchange  of  a  city  for  a  country  residence,  and  has  never  ex- 
pressed any  desire  to  return  to  N.  Y.  I  think  he  will  make  an  hon- 
est man,  if  he  has  proper  attention  paid  to  him,  which  I  shall  spare 
no  pains  to  bestow  upon  him. 

I  am,  respectfully, 
(Signed,)  W.  H.  P. 

May,  1827. 

T.  C.  from  the  Commisioners,  -aged  sixteen  years  in  April  last, 
born  in  Ireland.  His  father,  T.  lives  in  this  city,  and  bottles  por- 
ter, cider,  &c.  for  a  living. 

I  believe  the  complete  history  of  this  boy  is  comprised  in  the 
following  narrative :  he  was  put  to  eleven  different  places  to  learn 
a  trade,  and  ran  away  from  them  all,  viz.  three  shoe-makers,  two 
bricklayers,  two  looking-glass  frame-makers,  two  carpenters,  two 
bakers,  and  I  believe  was  too  lazy  to  "work.  When  he  came  here 
he  was  filthy  in  the  extreme.    Enters  Seventh  Class. 

August  1st,  1828.  T.  has  become  quite  a  good  boy;  has  gained 
our  confidence,  and  is  promoted  to  the  class  of  honor  as  night 
guard,  which  station  he  fills  to  our  satisfaction. 

October.  He  is  indentured  to  Mr.  G.  R.  of  W.  G.  county,  N.  Y. 

W  ,  November  1st,  1828. 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  you  that  T.  C.  ar- 
rived here  on  the  24th  of  October  in  good  spirits,  and  appears  to 
be  a  well  disposed  boy,  is  very  willing  to  do  what  he  can  ;  is  not 
at  all  acquainted  with  our  business,  but  appears  to  learn  very  easy: 
he  has  been  very  ill  one  night,  but  is  now  healthy,  and  appears 
contented ;  says  he  likes  living  in  the  country  very  much ;  he  is 
anxious  to  learn  to  handle  the  hoe  and  axe,  and  if  his  health  is 
spared,  will,  I  think,  make  a  good  farmer.  I  have  delayed  send- 
ing the  indenture,  in  order  to  be  able  to  write  concerning  the  boy. 
I  shall  encourage  him  to  write  to  you  as  soon  as  he  can  write  a 
legible  hand. 

Yours,  &c. 
(Signed,)  G.  R  . 

T.  W.  from  the  Police,  aged  (he  says,)  twelve  years  the  15th  of 
May  last,  which  we  doubt ;  his  age  can  be  found  on  the  books  of 
Public  School  No.  2— born  in  England.  His  father,  J.  came  to 
this  country  several  years  since,  and  died  in  this  city  soon  after. 
His  mother  some  years  ago  married  again.  His  mother,  it  was 
supposed,  was  on  her  death-bed  when  he  came  here. 

This  boy  was  a  member  of  Public  School  No.  2,  four  or  five 
years  since,  then  a  notorious  truant,  and  has  continued  so  ever 
since.  He  informs  me  that  he  then  practised  pilfering  about  the 
docks ;  nor  had  he  much  improved  in  any  thing  except  stealing. 
Rope,  copper,  lead,  and  the  like,  were  the  articles  that  he  made 


166 


his  calculations  to  raise  cash  from  by  stealing,  almost  every  day 
for  five  years  past,  and  for  which  he  was  sent  here :  twice  he  stole 
money  from  his  mother.    Enters  Eighth  Class. 

It  appeared  in  the  case  of  T.  that  he  only  wanted  some  friendly 
hand  to  place  and  direct  him  in  the  right  way.  He  soon  became 
industrious,  quiet,  and  attentive  to  all  his  duties. 

October,  1828.  T.  is  indentured  to  Capt.  F.  B.  farmer,  of  P.  D. 
county,  N.  Y. 

P  ,  November  9,  1828. 

Dear  Sir, — The  little  boy,  T.  W.  does  very  well,  and  appears 
perfectly  contented  and  cheerful;  he  is  up  every  morning  of  his 
own  accord  by  day-light,  and  I  can  hear  him  whistling  and  singing 
as  he  makes  the  fire  and  feeds  the  stock,  before  I  am  out  of  bed. 
I  am,  Sir,  with  due  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 
F.  B. 

FEMALES. 

June  9th  1827. 

C.  N.  from  the  Police,  aged  about  1 1  years,  born  in  N.  C.  Her 
father,  S.  N.  removed  to  this  city  when  she  was  young,  and  died 
about  seven  years  since:  her  mother  married  D.  L.  a  cartman 
within  a  year  past,  and  now"  resides  near  the  corner  of  D.  and  E. 
streets.  She  lived  with  Mrs.  M.  in  G.  street  a  short  time  last 
summer. 

She  has  for  some  time  past  been  connected  with  her  elder  sister 
and  others,  in  selling  soap,  needles,  cotton  balls,  &c.  about  the 
streets.  She  has  been  in  the  practice  of  attending  theatres,  cir- 
cuses, &c.  would  use  profane  and  indecent  language;  was  disobe- 
dient to  her  parents,  and  would  steal. 

The  first  thing  she  stole  was  one  hundred  needles  from  a  shop- 
keeper, while  pretending  to  praise  or  purchase  some  :  this  prac- 
tice she  often  repeated.  Next  a  silk  handkerchief,  which  she  sold 
for  three  shillings ;  then  two  or  three  dollars  from  a  shop  drawer, 
in  company  with  four  or  five  others,  which  she  divided,  this  being 
their  practice.  She  appears  to  be  quite  an  accomplished  thief: 
often  stole  worked  Vandykes,  handkerchiefs,  &c.  and  sold  them 
about  the  streets.  The  last  attempt  she  made  to  steal,  was  in 
company  with  several  of  her  companions  in  a  dry-goods  store  in 
D.  street :  she,  being  the  heroine,  was  sent  in  to  steal  money  from 
the  drawer,  inside  of  the  counter,  from  which  she  took  four  or  five 
dollars,  when  the  shop-keeper  discovered  her,  gave  chase  and 
caught  her ;  for  which  crime  she  was  sent  here. 

She  has  stolen  much ;  has  a  bold  and  daring  manner ;  she  says 
she  never  would  have  stolen,  had  it  not  been  for  A.  M'D.  who  she 
says  steals  a  great  deal,  and  lives  near  the  Alms  House.  Enters 
Third  Class. 

February  bth,  1828. 
Indentured  to  Mr.  J.  D.  B,  of  W.  O.  county,  N.  Y.  In  this  child 
there  has  been  a  most  pleasing  change.  Once  a  champion  for  da- 
ring expeditions  in  stealing,  wild  and  impudent,  has  now  become 
one  of  the  best  girls  in  the  house  ;  pleasant,  obedient,  active,  and, 
we  trust,  seriously  and  religiously  inclined. 


167 


W  ,  April  22nd,  1828. 

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart, 

Sir, — The  bearer  of  this  is  Mr.  J.  D.  B.  from  this  place,  who 
wishes  a  girl  from  the  House  of  Refuge  :  Mr.  W.  gave  him  infor- 
mation that  one  would  be  kept  for  him.  It  is  certainly  an  excel- 
lent place,  in  which  a  young  girl  would  receive  the  best  of  exam- 
ple and  precept,  and  be  instructed  in  the  solemn  truths  of  our  holy 
religion.  I  can  recommend  this  situation  to  you  with  much  plea- 
ure,  inasmuch  as  I  believe,  that  in  this  family,  a  child  would  re- 
ceive such  information  as  will  make  them  useful  in  after  life,  and 
a  credit  to  themselves  and  to  their  benefactors. 

We  are  much  gratified  with  our  little  girl  C.  N.  she  answers  the 
recommendation  given  me  by  Mr.  A.  she  is  an  industrious,  obedi- 
ent, kind  and  affectionate  child,  and  we  feel  entirely  satisfied  with 
her  conduct  thus  far,  and  I  trust,  (through  the  blessing  of  God,) 
she  may  continue  as  she  has  began.  She  appears  willing  to  learn 
and  receive  instruction;  she  progresses  rapidly  in  reading  in  her 
Bible  ;  she  has  committed  about  half  of  the  shorter  catechism  to 
memory;  she  has  altered  in  appearance  greatly  since  she  came  to 
reside  with  me;  has  grown  so  that  you  would  scarcely  recognize 
her.  She  feels  very  anxious  that  her  sister  Catharine  should  come 
with  Mr.  B.  says  if  she  had  Catharine  here  she  would  never  want 
to  see  New-York  :  she  was  much  pleased  that  her  little  sister  Jane 
came  with  Mr.  W.  and  was  much  afilicted  at  the  death  of  her 
mother.  She  speaks  with  much  feeling  and  affection  of  yourself 
and  Miss  Goewey,  and  continues,  I  believe,  the  duty  of  prayer,  at 
least  I  enjoin  it  upon  her.  The  sisters  appear  to  have  much  affec- 
tion for  each  other,  and  I  hope  they  may  prove  a  blessing,  and  not 
a  hindrance  :  and  I  trust  that  your  labour  may  not  be  in  vain  in 
reclaiming  the  lost  and  wandering  children  of  obscurity,  that  their 
hearts  may  be  regenerated.  That  your  institution  may  be  blessed 
is  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God,  and  receive  my  assurances 
for  your  peace  and  felicity. 

(Signed,)  J.  D.  B. 

January  9th7  1828. 

C.  N.,  from  the  Police,  aged  fifteen  years  the  17th  of  June  last* 
born  in  C.  Her  father  has  been  dead  about  eight  years,  since 
which  her  mother  married  D.  L.,  who  is  now  a  labourer, 

C.  commenced  to  sell  cotton  balls  about  six  years  ago  ;  then 
shaving  soap,  needles,  almanacs,  songs,  &c.  &e. — this  practice  led 
her  to  stealing.  The  first  theft  was  six  skeins  of  silk,  four  or  five 
years  ago,  then  one  hundred  needles,  and  so  on,  until  she  was  sent 
here  for  being  connected  with  two  of  her  old  associates  in  stealing" 
forty  dollars  from  Captain   ,  near  White  Hall,  which  they  di- 
vided among  them.    She  enters  fourth  class. 

When  Catharine  entered  the  House,  her  sister  Charity  took  the 
earliest  opportunity  to  give  her  the  best  counsel  she  was  capable 
of ;  who  by  this  time  had  greatly  profited  by  the  discipline  and  op- 
portunities the  House  offered  :  from  a  wild  and  uncultivated  child, 
she  became  quiet,  mild,  and  one  of  the  most  industrious  little  crea- 
tures in  the  House,  and  was  found  often  in  secret  places  in  private 
devotions  to  her  Maker.  Her  remarks  were  to  this  amount: — 
You  must  be  very  particular  to  obey  the  Matron ;  not  do  as  naughty 
girls  do,  but  obey  the  two  rules  of  the  House,  "  Never  tell  a  lie" 


168 


— "  Do  as  well  as  you  know  how,"  and  you  will  be  happy.  But  a 
short  time  had  passed,  before  Charity's  influence  had  caused  Cath- 
arine to  unite  in  her  secret  devotions  ;  and  such  an  attachment  be- 
tween sisters  so  natural  and  correct,  it  is  uncommon  to  witness. 
Catharine  soon  convinced  us  that  she  only  wanted  to  be  put  into 
the  right  path,  and  she  would  ornament  it.  But  a  few  months  had 
elapsed  after  their  confinement  in  the  House,  before  their  mother 
died,  and  they  were  left  without  any  earthly  parent — Charity  at  this 
time  being  bound  out  as  above.  Catharine  was  taken  down  to  see 
her  lifeless  mother,  where  was  found  the  only  remaining  little  sis- 
ter, hanging  around  the  corpse  of  her  mother,  and  none  but  neigh- 
bors to  comfort  her.  Such  were  the  strong  appeals  of  Catharine 
to  the  Superintendent  to  take  her  little  sister  under  his  care  and 
protection,  that  he  went  immediately  to  the  Commissioners  with 
the  child,  and  related  the  circumstances ;  they  at  once  approved 
and  committed  her  as  a  vagrant,  not  haying  any  home. 

Tn  a  short  time  they  were  all  indentured  to  superior  places  in 
W.,  O.  county,  where  they  can  see  each  other  every  week. 

November  27th,  1828. 
J.  D.  B.  Esq.  of  O.  county,  to  whom  Charity  was  indentured, 
called  and  stated  that  she  and  her  two  sisters,  who  were  in  the 
same  neighborhood,  were  three  of  the  finest  children  he  knew : 
that  he  would  not  part  with  Charity  for  $100  ;  am!  that  the  oldest 
sister,  Catharine,  who  lived  with  Mr.  J.  B.,  was,  in  point  of  mind 
and  deportment,  a  superior  girl,  and  that  they  manifested  much 
tender  and  kind  feeling  towards  each  other,  and  had  no  idea  of  ever 
returning  to  the  city  to  live,  lest  they  should  fall  into  temptation's 
way.  Mr.  B.  said,  the  children  express  the  warmest  regard  for 
their  former  care-takers  while  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  and  it  was 
in  consequence  of  their  strong  solicitations  that  he  had  called  to 
spend  a  few  hours  with  us. 

January  9th,  1 828. 

M.  L.,  from  the  Police,  aged  sixteen  years  the  20th  of  Novem- 
ber last,  born  in  the  western  part  of  this  state.  Her  father,  W.  L. 
resides  at  No.  83  S.-street,  is  poor  and  intemperate.  This  child, 
and  her  sister,  have  been  employed  several  years  selling  soap, 
cotton  balls,  almanacs,  pencils,  &c,  which  led  her  to  all  kinds  of 
company.  The  first  thing  she  recollects  to  have  stolen  was  250 
needles,  in  company  with  A.  M'D.  and  her  younger  sister ;  then  a 
dozen  tapes,  &c.  &c. ;  so  on  for  two  or  three  years,  dividing  all 
they  could  take.  Would  occasionally  attend  theatres  and  circuses. 
She  says  she  has  frequented  bad  company  much. 

A  few  days  since,  she,  her  sister,  and  C.  N.  went  into  a  grocery 
store  near  Coenties'  Slip  to  sell  soap,  when  a  Captain  B.  began  to 
carry  on  with  them ;  she  consented  to  go  with  him  for  one  dollar, 
and  while  he  was  planning  with  her,  she  slipped  her  hand  into  his 
pocket  and  stole  his  pocket  book,  containing  $40,  agreed  to  meet 
him  at  the  next  corner,  and  ran ;  went  up  Broadway  and  divided  the 
amount  between  them.  The  Captain,  rather  than  lose  his  money, 
exposed  himself,  and  by  some  means  found  where  C.  N.  lived,  at 
whose  dwelling  the  girls  were  found  next  day  in  the  afternoon. 
They  however  took  a  good  twenty  shilling  carriage  ride,  drank 


169 


cordial,  &c.  out  of  their  money,  before  they  were  taken  up.  She 
enters  the  Third  Class. 

When  M.  first  came  to  the  House,  she  put  on  many  important 
airs,  and  manifested  a  considerable  degree  of  impudence,  and  our 
hopes  in  her  case  were  not  very  flattering ;  but  by  steady  perseve- 
rance in  correcting  her  errors,  exhibiting  to  her  view  the  enormity 
of  her  crimes,  and  what  they  must  eventually  result  in;  holding  up 
virtue  and  piety,  and  the  happy  consequences  that  must  result  from 
a  virtuous  course  ;  she,  witnessing  the  high  estimation  that  was 
placed  upon  those  that  had  reformed,  in  a  few  months  her  manners 
changed  to  mildness,  industry,  and  obedience ;  she  became  ambi- 
tious to  have  an  opportunity  to  show  how  highly  she  appreciated 
her  new  views  of  virtue  and  propriety.  The  result  was,  she  was 
indentured  to  J.  N.  of  B.,  B.  county,  P.  on  the  27th  of  August  last. 

A  few  weeks  since,  we  were  visited  by  Mr.  N's  daughter,  a  young 
married  lady,  who  informs  us  that  M.  is  a  fine  girl,  and  that  she  is 
beloved  by  all  the  family,  and  bids  fair  to  make  a  fine  woman. 

January  9th,  1828. 

S.  H.  L.,  from  the  Police,  aged  fourteen  years  the  25th  of  De- 
cember ;  born  in  New- York.  Her  father  is  infirm  and  does  no 
work,  drinks  hard — had  a  handsome  property  left  him  by  his  father, 
but  has  spent  it.  He  was  the  cause  of  introducing  his  children  to 
sell  soap  and  the  like.  One  of  his  daughters,  elder  than  either  of 
these,  became  a  prostitute  through  the  same  channel ;  but  finally 
found  a  husband  on  board  the  S.  F.,  and  is  now  doing  better.  This 
little  girl  commenced  her  career,  about  two  years  since,  selling 
soap,  needles,  pencils,  almanacs,  &c.  She  first  commenced  to 
steal  soap  from  Mr.  II.,  then  needles  from  Mr.  P.  in  Maiden-lane 
— she  has  taken  four  hundred  at  a  time ;  and  would  receive  from 
her  companions  a  part  of  their  stolen  property,  and  in  turn  would 
give  them  a  part  of  hers.  I  judge  her  not  to  be  much  past  twelve 
years  of  age.  She  however  learnt  the  trick  of  getting  money  from 
men,  with  the  promise  that  she  would  go  with  them,  and  afterwards 
run  away :  her  suitors  would  sometimes  chase  her ;  if  she  found 
herself  too  closely  pursued,  she  would  run  into  a  grocery  store, 
and  tell  them  that  a  man  was  chasing  her.  She  would  pick  up  her 
sweethearts  at  the  Battery,  Steam  Boat  Wharves,  Theatres,  &c. 
She  and  her  associates  would  occasionally  attend  the  theatres  and 
circuses.  If  they  took  five  dollars  each,  per  day,  home  to  their 
mother,  she  was  satisfied,  and  they  could  spend  the  rest.  Some- 
times they  could  clear  eight  dollars  per  day,  honest  sales,  then 
again  12  s.  per  day,  when  they  were  successful  in  stealing  needles 
and  soap.  This  girl  also  received  a  portion  of  the  forty  dollars. 
Enters  Fifth  Class. 

This  child  soon  gave  hope  in  her  case,  was  open  and  frank  in  her 
communications,  and  became  modest  and  industrious  in  her  habits ; 
only  wanted  to  know  her  duty,  and  she  performed  it. 

She  was  indentured  to  Mr.  L.,  of  H.  C.,  in  April  last. 

H.  April  28,  1828. 

N.  C.  Hart, 

Dear  Sir, — S.  II.  L.  arrived  on  Friday,  and  I  also  received 
from  Mr.  H.  her  indentures  by  the  same  conveyance  ;  and  also 
your  circular  address  to  masters.    The  indentures  I  have  signed* 

22 


170 


and  they  are  witnessed  by  one  of  my  daughters,  (not  wishing  to  ga 
out  of  my  family  for  a  witness  to  this  instrument,  on  S's  account,) 
one  of  which  will  be  returned  herein.  The  address  of  the  Mana- 
gers to  masters,  I  hope  and  intend  to  comply  with  strictly.  8. 
commenced  Sunday  School  yesterday,  with  my  children— and  to 
the  same  meeting  with  us,  is  seated  under  our  sight.  She  com- 
menced a  private  day  school  this  morning,  under  the  instruction  of 
a  pious  female,  in  company  with  one  of  my  children..  Our  Sunday 
School  is  attended  by  classes  of  society,  from  those  in  the  first 
standing,  down  to  the  dregs  of  the  lowest  kind.  From  my  family 
I  have  seven  children  in  the  school,  one  male  and  two  female  teach- 
ers, and  four  pupils.  S.  will  have  much  advantageous  preparation 
for  Sunday  School  at  home,  from  my  two  daughters,  who  are  teach- 
ers, and  I  trust,  Christians. 

It  cannot  be  expected  I  should  say  much  of  S's  conduct  thus 
early,  but  for  the  little  time  she  has  been  with  us,  the  ready  cheer- 
fulness with  which  she  performs  the  little  required  of  her,  has  al- 
ready interested  us  all  very  favorably.  I  hope  to  be  able,  hereafter, 
to  give  you  a  further  good  account  of  her. 

I  am  very  respectfully  yours, 

(Signed)  R.  L. 

Since  which  we  have  been  informed  that  she  is  doing  well,  and  is 
a  girl  of  promise. 

Septeviber,  1827. 

M.  K.,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  12  years  the  first  of  April; 
born  in  Ireland.  Her  father  and  mother  are  both  dead.  Between 
three  and  four  years  since,  her  father,  E.  K.  put  her  to  live  with 
Mr.  J.  P.,  a  distiller,  in  this  city,  where  she  continued  until  within 
a  few  days  since,  when  Mr.  P.  informs  me  that  one  of  his  hired 
men  made  free  with  her  twice,  the  last  time  it  was  discovered  by 
the  servant  woman  :  and  as  the  child  was  young  and  had  no  friends, 
Mr.  P.  wTas  fearful  she  would  go  to  destruction,  if  she  was  not  se- 
cured more  closely  than  lay  in  his  power ;  consequently  obtained 
legal  permission  to  send  her  here. 

The  girl  simply  states,  that  some  weeks  since,  S.,  one  of  Mr.  P's 
men,  threw  her  on  the  floor,  &c,  and  that  a  few  days  since,  he 
found  her  in  the  still  house,  and  threw  her  on  the  hogshead,  but 
the  servant  woman  came  so  soon  that  he  did  not  effect  his  purpose. 
She  appears  perfectly  honest  in  her  confession,  says  she  never 
stole  any  thing ;  and  I  think  if  placed  in  a  small  careful  family,  will 
yet  make  a  good  girl  to  work.    Enters  seventh  Class. 

March  5th,  1828,  M.  is  indentured  to  the  Rev.  W.  G.,  of  S., 
N.  J. 

S  ,  June  23d,  1828. 

Dear  Sir, — The  bearer  of  this,  Mr.  N.  C.  is  anxious  of  obtain- 
ing a  lad  from  the  House  of  Refuge,  should  there  be  one  at  present 
to  put  out  that  will  suit  him.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  are  members  of  my 
church.  He  is  a  farmer  in  easy  circumstances  ;  his  family  is  small, 
and  among  the  most  respectable  in  this  place.  So  far  as  I  can 
judge,  I  think  it  would  be  a  desirable  situation  for  one  of  the  boys; 
and  hope  you  will  aid  him  in  selecting  one  of  a  pleasant  disposition, 
of  industrious  habits,  and  in  whom  confidence  can  be  placed. 

Mrs.  G.  and  myself  are  much  pleased  with  M.  K.,  she  is  a  good 
girl,  respectful,  industrious,  pleasant,  and  seems  anxious  to  com- 


171 


mend  herself  to  our  approbation.  Her  health  is  good  ;  and  from 
her  pleasantness  and  cheerfulness,  I  have  reason  to  believe  that 
she  is  perfectly  satisfied  with  her  situation,  as  an  inmate  of  our 
family.  She  frequently  speaks  with  much  feeling  of  the  House  of 
Refuge,  and  in  affectionate  and  grateful  terms  of  yourself  and  the 
matron  ;  and  seems  to  regard  it  as  one  of  the  favored  circumstan- 
ces of  her  life,  that  her  lot  was  cast,  for  a  season,  in  the  House  of 
Refuge. 

From  what  I  have  witnessed  in  M.  connected  with  her  conver- 
sations with  Mrs.  G.  more  particularly,  I  am  led  to  form  a  high 
opinion  of  that  interesting  institution,  over  which  you  preside,  and 
hope  that  you  will  feel  encouraged  still  to  persevere  in  your  labors 
of  love.  Rest  assured,  my  dear  sir,  that  the  blessings  of  many  of 
these  unfortunate  children  and  youth,  who  were  ready  to  perish, 
will  come  upon  you,  and  that  your  instructions  and  councils  are 
neither  forgotten  nor  disregarded,  by  many  of  them,  though  re- 
moved from  your  watch  and  care. 

Yours,  very  sincerely, 

(Signed)  W.  G. 

March  28^,  1828. 
A-  E-  F-,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged,  she  thinks,  twelve  years 
the  fourth  of  July  last ;  born  in  B-,  of  Irish  parents.  Her  father, 
she  says,  was  first  partner  and  then  foreman,  to  Mr.  M'Q.,  the 
founder  in  D-  street ;  but  a  few  months  since  went  to  the  state  of 
O.  Her  mother,  she  says,  used  to  drink  so  hard,  that  her  father 
left  her,  and  she  then  went  to  live  in  A.  street.  This  child  went  to 
live  with  a  married  sister,  Mrs-  N-,  in  C.  street,  but  was  taken  ill 
and  went  to  Trenton.  When  this  child  went  to  live  with  Mrs-  H., 
in  Y.  street,  near  A.  street,  she  says  her  step-sister,  T.  B-,  had  her 
sent  here,  for  going  out  and  staying  with  different  boys,  about  four- 
teen and  fifteen  years  of  age,  in  new  buildings,  at  different  times. 
She  says  that  Mrs-  H's  daughter  M-  persuaded  her  to  do  so,  and 
she  used  to  go  also  ;  and  the  boys  would  purchase  cakes  and  apples 
for  them — they  used  to  carry  on  badly  in  the  streets-  Enters 
Eighth  Class- 

March  27 — she  was  indentured  to  the  Hon-  L«  E-,  of  D.,  S.  Co., 
New-York. 

December  Hh — Senator  E-,  with  his  lady,  called  on  us  this  after- 
noon :  they  speak  highly  of  A-,  saying  she  is  a  good  girl,  and  they* 
are  much  pleased  with  her. 

August  25,  1828. 

M.  H-,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  twelve  years  last  spring ; 
born  in  B-,  New-York,  of  English  parents.  Her  father,  J-  H.,  put 
an  end  to  his  existence,  in  A-  M-  has  no  sister  living,  but  five 
brothers — the  mother  resides  in  T-  street,  takes  in  washing  and  goes 
out  to  labor  by  the  day. 

This  little  girl  has  been  three  years  in  bad  practices,  by  going 
with  boys,  in  other  girls'  company  first — speaks  of  many  of  the 
same  age  and  practices,  then  by  degrees  with  larger  boys.  As 
small  as  she  is,  and  as  young  as  she  appears,  she  has  been  in  the 
practice  of  receiving  men's  company  for  more  than  a  year.  In  her 
time  she  has  been  very  active  and  successful  in  winning  other  little 
girls  from  the  paths  of  virtue-   Had  finally  taken  a  room  with  Mrs* 


172 


H.,  in  T.  street — frequently  attended  theatres,  circuses,  &c-,  La 
Fayette  and  Mount  Pit-    Enters  Third  Class- 

Since  M's  residence  in  the  Hoi.se,  there  has  been  an  astonishing 
change.  For  nearly  four  months  past,  she  has  evinced  the  sweetest 
Christian  spirit,  mild  and  meek,  quiet  and  kind  ;  often  seen  to  weep 
under  religious  exercises,  but  never  discovered  to  show  any  fruits 
of  her  former  life — is  one  of  the  most  industrious  and  trusty  of  her 
class ;  and  when  a  sufficient  length  of  time  shall  have  elapsed,  for 
her  to  be  settled  and  grounded  in  the  way  she  should  go,  we  trust 
to  have  the  pleasure  of  transplanting  this  hopeful  child  into  some 
eoil  that  will  be  congenial  to  her  future  prosperity  and  usefulness. 

REPORT  OF  THE  LADIES'  COMMITTEE. 

The  Ladies'  Committee  to  the  Female  Department  of  the  House  of 
Refuge,  respectfully  Report : 

That  we  have  great  satisfaction  in  finding  ourselves  able  to 
communicate  information  respecting  our  truly  excellent  institution, 
■which  must  be  very  acceptable. 

Where  there  are  so  many  abandoned  and  profligate  young  per- 
sons, daily  entering  this  establishment,  it  must  be  expected  that 
some  among  them  will  be  refractory,  and  occasion  vexation  and 
trouble  ;  yet  these  are  not  numerous.  Within  the  last  year  we  have 
heard  few  complaints  from  the  Matron-  Two  or  three  of  the  girls 
have  not  behaved  so  well.  Their  improper  conduct  may  probably 
be,  in  some  measure,  attributed  to  the  nearness  of  a  store-room,  by 
which  the  boys  have  access  to  the  baking  room  of  the  girls.  Here 
they  can  communicate  to  each  other  and  contrive  mischief,  only  a 
thin  partition  separates  them.  We  are  glad  to  learn  that  the  di- 
rectors of  the  institution  have  in  contemplation  to  turn  this  store 
room  into  an  eating  hall  for  the  boys,  where  they  will  only  be  ad- 
mitted at  meal  time-  In  our  opinion  they  should  be  kept  out  of 
view  of  each  other — it  is  certainly  the  best  plan,  and  most  likely  to 
keep  them  orderly  and  well  behaved- 

The  Female  Committee  have  not  been  unmindful  of  the  sugges- 
tions of  the  Indenturing  Committee,  in  respect  to  the  selection  and 
recommendation  of  girls  to  be  apprenticed.  Four  are  now,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  Ladies'  Committee,  qualified,  by  their  general  good 
conduct,  to  give  satisfaction,  in  any  family  in  which  they  may  be 
placed.  At  the  same  time,  we  would  observe,  that  it  is  most  desi- 
rable that  these  children  should  be  sent  to  some  distance  from  the 
city,  where  they  would  not  be  likely  to  meet  their  former  bad  asso- 
ciates. 

The  Ladies'  Committee  have  held  their  monthly  and  weekly 
meetings,  without  intermission,  even  in  stormy  weather.  They  have 
constantly  visited  the  House  of  Refuge,  inspected  the  apartments, 
heard  recitations  from  the  Scriptures,  and  attended  to  the  different 
lessons  in  which  the  children  were  engaged :  most,  of  them  have 
improved  satisfactorily,  and  give  promise,  under  the  advantages  of 
religious  education  which  the  House  of  Refuge  affords,  that  they 
may  become  worthy  members  of  society,  and  repay  the  friends  of 
the  institution,  the  expense,  trouble,  and  anxiety  they  have  under- 
gone* 


173 


In  our  monthly  reports,  every  particular,  in  regard  to  these  chil- 
dren, is  given  with  great  exactness.  We  now  only  add,  that  we 
shall  continue  our  visits,  with  unabated  zeal.  We  have  daily  more 
reason  to  think  this  institution  is  going  on  well,  and  that  it  is  doing 
much  good  in  the  community.  The  beneficial  effects  of  the  estab- 
lishment must  and  will  be  continually  seen.  Under  the  influence 
of  this  humane  institution,  vice  will  forsake  its  wonted  haunts,  and 
virtue  find  votaries  in  those  who  were  depraved — Praise  be  to  God ! 
through  the  perseverance  of  a  few  benevolent  persons  so  much  has 
been  effected.  We  have  nothing  further  to  add,  but  to  assure  the 
Directors  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  that  we  desire  not  to  weary  in 
our  efforts  to  aid  them  every  way  in  our  power. 

ISABELLA  BULOID,  First  Directress. 

MARIA  COLDEN,  Second  Directress. 

CHARLOTTE  L.  FOX,  Treasurer. 

SARAH  C.  HAWXHURST,  Secretary. 

Managers. 

Almy  Cornell,  Rebecca  M'Comb, 

Martha  Willis,  Anna  Warner, 

Maria  Hyde,  Phebe  Mott, 

Deborah  L.  Embree,  Esther  Seymour, 

Margaret  Prior,  Margaret  Beers. 
Dece?nber,  29th,  1828. 


REPORT  OF  WORK  DONE  BY  THE  FEMALES. 

A  statement  of  the  work  performed  by  the  Female  subjects  in  the 
House  of  Refuge,  from  December  first  1827,  to  the  first  of  Decem- 
ber 1828,  inclusive,  viz: 

Reeling  two  hundred  and  seventy  thousand  skeins  of  cot- 
ton yarn   270,000 

Shirts  made  482 

Stockings  run  in  the  heels,  pairs     -  250 
Ravens  Duck  Pantaloons  made       -       -       -       -  134 

Spreads  for  Cells  -       -       -       -       -       -  -113 

Woolen  Pantaloons  -       -  59 

Wroolen  Jackets  52 
Sheets  for  Cells  made    ------  80 

Sheets  for  Hospital  10 

White  Van  Dykes  made  79 

Calico      do.         do.    -       -       -  -       -  9 

Calico  Frocks       -       --       --       --  Q 

Gingham  do.         -       -       -       -       -       -       -  81 

Chemises  made      -       --       --  --54 

Brown  Aprons      -       -       -       -       -       -       -  67 

Brown  Aprons  for  Boys        -----  6 

Night  Caps  66 

Night  Gowns   12 

White  Aprons       -       -       -       -       -  -  15 

Jackets  30 

Brown  Towels      -       -       -       -  -       -  53 

Brown  Rollers  20 

Pillow  Cases  26 


174 


Bed  Ticks   50 

Mattresses   17 

Carpeting,  yards  of       -----       -  65J 

Quilts  for  Hospital   10 

Blankets  mended   -       -       -  -       -       -  52 

'  Bed  Ticks  mended   30 


The  number  of  stockings  mended  were  so  numerous,  that  to  have 
kept  an  account  of  them  would  have  proved  tedious. 

Washing  and  baking,  are  two  branches  of  no  inconsiderable  im- 
portance. The  washing  on  an  average  has  during  the  year,  amount- 
ed to  about  eight  hundred  pieces  per  week,  and  the  mending  of  the 
same.  In  addition  to  the  above  estimate  of  work  there"  is  to  be 
considered  all  the  domestic  work  relative  to  themselves,  and  the 
keeping  in  order  the  female  department,  viz :  cooking,  mending 
for  themselves,  cleaning  house,  &c.  &c.  of  which  there  cannot  be 
a  minute  account  given. 

WORK  DONE  BY  THE  BOYS. 

BRASS  NAIL  MANUFACTORY. 

Of  assorted  sizes,  15,600  M.  which  averages  300  thousand  per 
week. 

CHAIR  BOTTOM  MANUFACTORY. 

Cane  chair  bottoms,  10,844,  or  907  dozen. 
It  will  be  understood  that  the  cane  is  dressed,  and  the  frames 
for  the  seats  made  by  the  boys. 

WILLOW  WORKERS. 

Have  covered  200  3  Gallon  Demijohns 


500  2      do.  do. 

700  1      do,  do. 

400  J      do.  do. 

350  quart  do. 


BRUSH  MANUFACTORY. 

1000  dozen  Shoe  Brushes. 

250  dozen  Hair  Brushes. 

250  dozen  Cloth  Brushes. 

200  dozen  Tooth  Brushes. 
50  dozen  Hatters'  Brushes. 

250  dozen  Scrubbing  Brushes. 
60  dozen  Crumb  Brushes. 
2000  weight  Bristles,  assorted  and  combed. 

500  pound  Bristles  picked. 
1000  weight  Bristles  washed  and  bleached. 

carpenters'  shop. 


Soap  boxes,  for  Shipping       -       -       -  12,407 

Windsor      do.   1,722 

Large  brown  do.   2,529 

Candle         do.   1,842 


18,600 


SHOE  SHOP. 

Cacks  -  1,500 

Pumps   500 

For  domestic  use   &50 


175 


tailors'  shop. 

150  Suits,  jacket  and  trowsers  for  winter, 
400  pairs  canvass  trowsers  for  summer. 
50  Caps. 

STATEMENTS. 

Subjects, 

There  were  in  the  house  when  the  last  report  was  made,  161 
Of  those  previously  disposed  of,  there  have  been  returned  17 


Received  during  the  past  year       -       -       -       -       -     1 59 

337 

Of  whom  there  have  been  indentured  -  148 
Escapes        -  6 

Returned  to  friends  13 

Returned  to  the  Aims-House         -  2 

Of  age  7 

Now  in  the  House  161 

 337 

The  number  of  subjects  received  into  the  House  of  Re- 
fuge since  our  last  report  as  above       -  159 

Committed  by  the  following  authorities,  viz: 
Commissioners  98 
Police  45 
New-York  Sessions  -  8 
Brooklyn  Sessions  -  3 
Albany  Sessions  2 
Utica  Sessions  -  1 
Newburgh  Sessions  -  1 


Schoharie  Oyer  and  Terminer  1 

 159 

Of  the  above  number,  ninety-three  are  foreigners,  or  the  chil- 
dren of  foreigners,  and  the  remaining  sixty-six  are  of  American 
parentage. 

SUMMARY. 


Inden- 

Esca- 

Returned 

Retur'd 

Of  . 

tured 

ped 

to  friends 

to  A.  H. 

age. 

1828. 

January, 

5 

1 

2 

February, 

2 

1 

IVIarch, 

11 

1 

April, 

24 

2 

1 

May, 

24 

o 
O 

1 

June, 

19 

1 

1 

July, 

8 

2 

August, 

1 

1 

2 

September, 

16 

1 

October, 

20 

1 

November, 

12 

o 

1 

December, 

6 

1 

1 

.     j  148 

6 

13 

2 

7  I 

tot.  176 

176 


MEMORIAL. 

To  the  Honorable  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

The  Memorial  of  the  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  reformation 

of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  respectfully  sheweth, 

That  your  memorialists  have  seen,  with  deep  concern  and  re- 
gret, a  remonstrance  addressed  to  your  honorable  body,  purporting 
to  be  from  shipmasters,  mariners  and  citizens  of  the  city  of  New- 
York,  against  the  appropriation  made  by  law  towards  the  support 
of  the  House  of  Refuge,  of  a  part  of  the  moneys  collected  by  the 
commissioners  of  health. 

Your  memorialists  will  not  doubt  but  that  the  authors  of  the  re- 
monstrance are  actuated  by  the  best  motives,  nor  que  ion  the  sin- 
cerity of  their  declaration,  that  they  are  not  "hostile  to  any  char- 
itable institution;"  neither  will  your  memorialists  presume  to  say, 
that  by  the  remonstrance,  facts  are  intentionally  misrepresented  ; 
yet  it  is  certain  the  language  the  shipmasters,  mariners  and  citizens 
have  adopted,  is  calculated  to  mislead  the  Legislature,  and  to  create 
a  prejudice  in  the  public  mind  against  an  establishment  which  the 
late  Governor,  in  his  message  to  the  Legislature,  in  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  twenty-six,  characterised  as  "the  best  penitentiary  in- 
stitution ever  devised  by  the  wit,  and  established  by  the  beneficence 
of  man." 

In  adverting  to  the  law  creating  the  fund,  a  part  of  which  is  ap- 
propriated to  the  House  of  Refuge,  the  remonstrance  could  not 
avoid  disclosing,  that  it  was  collected  as  well  from  passengers  as 
from  mariners;  yet,  in  the  zeal  of  their  remonstrance,  this  impor- 
tant fact  is  entirely  overlooked,  and  the  injustice  of  a  diversion  of 
any  part  of  the  moneys  collected  by  the  commissioners  of  health 
to  any  other  purpose  than  the  immediate  benefit  of  mariners,  is  ur- 
ged on  the  ground  of  the  fund  being  "wholly  earned  by  them,  in 
their  arduous  profession.  If  it  be  meant  by  the  remonstrance,  that 
the  money  collected  from  passengers,  as  well  as  that  which  is  paid 
by  mariners,  is  earned  by  the  latter  because  the  passengers  in  ques- 
tion arrive  here  by  sea ;  then  seamen  might,  with  equal  propriety, 
claim  a  particular  interest  in  the  public  funds  derived  from  duties 
on  importations  in  the  ships  they  navigate. 

Soon  after  the  law  of  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-six,  relative 
to  this  subject,  was  passed,  the  managers  received,  under  an  order 
from  the  late  Governor,  nineteen  thousand  dollars  out  of  a  surplus 
then  in  the  hands  of  the  commissioners.  This  sum  was  applied  to 
the  extensive  buildings  erected  by  the  society,  owing  in  some  meas- 
ure to  the  house  having  been  opened  by  a  late  law,  to  the  Juvenile 
convicts  of  all  the  counties  in  the  State,  the  number  of  delinquents 
it  would  be  proper  to  receive  has  so  far  increased,  that  an  addition 
to  the  building  has  become  necessary. — To  meet  the  expense  of  an 
enlargement  of  the  establishment,  the  managers  obtained  from  the 
late  Governor  an  order  for  a  further  appropriation  of  seven  thou- 
sand dollars,  from  any  surplus  the  commissioners  might  find  in 
their  hands.  •  Of  this  appropriation  the  managers  have  received  no 
more  than  two  thousand  dollars. 

Soon  after  the  law,  giving  the  Managers  a  claim  on  the  surplus 
of  the  Hospital  fund,  was  passed,  they  entered  into  an  arrangement 
with  the  Health  Commissioners,  to  receive  from  them  at  the  rate 


177 


of  eight  thousand  dollars  a  year,  which  the  Managers  calculated 
would  be  sufficient  for  the  support  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  as  it  is 
at  present  established  ;  and  the  Commissioners  estimated  that  the 
Managers  might  be  allowed  this  sum,  and  ample  funds  be  left,  not 
only  for  the  support  of  the  Marine  Hospital,  but  to  meet  all  the 
expense  of  the  very  extensive  additions  and  improvements  which 
the  Commissioners  are  making  at  the  establishment  on  Staten 
Island. 

The  Managers  have  received  nothing  more  from  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Health  than  what  is  above  mentioned :  and  to  show  how 
far  the  eight  thousand  dollars  a  year,  which,  under  the  present  ar- 
rangement the  Managers  are  to  receive,  will  be  from  encroaching 
on  the  contributions  of  mariners,  your  memorialists  beg  leave  to 
submit  the  following  statement: — 

There  was  received,  during  the  last  year,  as  appears  from  the 
Custom-House  books, 

From  1465  captains  and  mates,        -  $1297  50 

From  13,750  seamen,   13750  00 

From  coasters,   3199  50 


Making  the  whole  amount  received  from  mari- 
ners,   19,147  00 

During  the  same  time,  there  was  received  from 

passengers,  -------  17,747  26 


Making  the  whole  receipts  for  the  year  1827,  -  $36,894  26 
From  which  deduct  for  the  House  of  Refuge,    -       8000  00 

And  there  will  be  left  for  the  use  of  the  Marine 

Hospital,     -       -    >  -       -       -       -       -  $28,894  26 

"Whereas  the  contributions  of  mariners  have 

been,  as  above  stated,  only,    -  19,147  26 

Leaving,  $9747  00 

More  than  was  contributed  the  last  year  by  mariners. 

There  is  every  reason  to  believe,  that  the  proportion  of  the  hos- 
pital fund,  which  will  be  contributed  by  passengers,  will  be  greater 
than  it  was  last  year. 

The  receipts  for  the  current  year  from  passengers  have  been 
more  than  they  were  in  the  corresponding  months  of  the  last  sea- 
son, and  the  information  from  Europe  is,  that  the  emigrations  from 
thence  will  be  this  year  greater  than  they  have  been. 

The  sums  collected  by  the  health  commissioners  are  not  only 
sufficient  for  the  support  of  the  marine  hospital,  and  to  afford  to 
the  House  of  Refuge  all  it  requires,  but  will  enable  the  commis- 
sioners, from  the  surplus,  to  establish  a  fund  to  meet  contingencies, 
and  pay  the  expenses  of  further  improvements. 

The  ordinary  expenses  of  the  hospital  are,  as  your  memorialists 
have  been  informed  and  believe,  less  than  seventeen  thousand  dol- 
lars a  year,  so  that  however  pathetic  the  appeal  of  the  remonstrance 
in  favor  of  mariners  may  be,  it  is  obvious,  that  it  was  not  required 
by  the  occasion,  nor  was  the  expression  of  an  opinion  that  an  ap- 
plication of  the  earning  of  mariners,  otherwise  than  for  their  bene- 
fit, would  be  unjust,  (from  which,  it  is  probable,  no  one  would  dis- 

23 


178 


sent,)  called  for  by  any  circumstances  connected  with  the  subject 
under  consideration. 

It  is  ascertained,  that  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  collections 
made  from  passengers,  are  paid  by  foreigners,  who  arrive  in  this 
state  from  different  parts  of  the  world.  Your  memorialists  most 
readily  admit,  that  not  only  a  liberal  support  should  be  allowed 
out  of  the  hospital  fund  for  the.  Marine  Hospital,  but  that  ample 
provision  should  also  be  reserved  for  contingencies.  For  all  this 
the  law  has  provided.  But  when  this  is  done,  your  memorialists 
respectfully  submit  that  there  could  not  be  a  more  just  or  reason- 
able appropriation  of  the  surplus  arising  from  the  contributions  of 
foreign  passengers,  than  to  the  support  of  juvenile  delinquents,  a 
large  proportion  of  whom  are  children  of  emigrants. 

When  the  last  annual  report  of  the  Managers  was  made  (with  a 
copy  of  which  the  members  of  the  legislature  have  been  furnished, 
and  to  which  your  memorialists  pray  leave  to  refer)  the  wThol« 
number  of  subjects  received  into  the  House  of  Refuge  from  the 
commencement  of  its  operations,  was  three  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven,  of  these,  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  were  the  children  of 
foreigners. 

The  Managers  forbear,  on  this  occasion,  to  urge  the  advantages- 
or  merits  of  the  establishment  under  their  care.  This  has  been 
done  at  the  several  times  when  the  legislature  has  been  induced  to- 
extend  to  the  institution  its  patronage  and  support.  The  House 
of  Refuge  has  more  than  realized  the  most  sanguine  anticipations 
of  its  founders  and  friends.  Its  benefits  are  not  only  felt  in  our 
own  community,  but  the  influence  of  its  example  is  extending  to 
every  part  of  the  Union,  and  even  to  foreign  countries.  The  prin- 
ciples on  which  it  is  founded,  its  management,  and  the  advantages 
resulting  from  its  operations,  have  been  the  theme  of  the  most  en- 
lightened jurists  and  philanthropists,  both  abroad  and  at  home. 
Whenever  it  shall  be  thought  more  politic  and  humane  to  prevent 
crime  than  to  punish  criminals,  asylums  for  the  protection  and 
reformation  of  juvenile  delinquents,  must  find  advocates.  In  sev- 
eral stales,  similar  establishments  are  forming  wholly  at  the  pub- 
lic expense.  The  House  of  Refuge  in  New-York,  grew  from,  and 
was  for  some  time  supported  by,  private  contributions,  which 
have  amounted  to  more  than  twenty  thousand  dollars.  But  so 
extensive  an  establishment  can  not  be  maintained  at  the  cost  of 
individuals,  and  is  utterly  incapable  of  supporting  itself.  If  the 
appropriations  made  for  this  object  be  withdrawn,  and  no  adequate 
revenue  be  substituted,  the  institution  must  be  abandoned.  The 
hundreds  of  children  who  have  found  refuge  in  this  asylum,  must 
be  again  turned  upon  society,  to  pursue  a  course  which  must 
bring  them  again  to  the  bars  of  our  criminal  courts,  from  thence 
to  be  sent  to  our  penitentiaries  and  state  prisons,  there  to  be  main- 
tained as  irreclaimable  criminals  at  a  greater  expense  to  the  state, 
than  would  be  required  to  continue  the  support  of  an  institution 
in  which  they  may  receive  moral  and  religious  instruction,  acquire 
habits  of  industry,  be  reformed,  and  made  useful  members  of 
society. 

The  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile 
Delinquents,  can  have  no  other  interest  in  the  establishment  of 
which  they  have  charge,  than  that  which  ship-masters,  mariner?, 


179 


and  every  citizen  ought  to  feel.  Your  memorialists,  therefore,  can 
have  no  other  prayer,  than  that  you  will  duly  consider  the  impor- 
tance of  the  institution,  its  situation,  the  consequences  of  its  being 
abandoned,  and  that  you  may  do  what  is  right. 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  Managers, 

CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President, 
New-York,  April,  1828. 

LETTER  TO  THE  MASTERS. 
House  of  Refuge,  New-  York,  1 82 

The  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of 
Juvenile  Delinquents. 

To 

Sir, 

We  have  consented  to  bind  one  of 

the  children  under  our  care  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  to  you  as 
an  apprentice,  pursuant  to  powers  given  to  us  by  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  of  this  state. 

We  should  not  have  done  this,  had  not  our  inquiries,  as  to  your 
character,  induced  us  to  believe,  that  your  example,  and  your 
treatment  of  this  young  person  will  be  such  as  may  tend  to  per- 
fect the  moral  reformation,  we  have  reason  to  hope,  he  has  expe- 
rienced since  he  has  been  in  the  asylum  under  our  charge. 

Great  pains  are  taken  to  impress  on  the  children,  committed  to 
the  House  of  Refuge,  a  love  of  truth,  to  give  them  religious  in- 
struction, habits  of  order  and  industry,  and  to  teach  them  to  be 
respectful  and  obedient.  We  have  found  from  experience,  that 
this  may  be  done  by  a  steady  and  firm  conduct,  not  incompatible 
with  great  kindness.  We  are  persuaded  that  most  children  may 
be  more  easily,  and  more  effectually,  governed  by  proper  appeals 
to  their  mental  feelings,  than  by  corporal  punishments,  and  that 
where  these  are  inflicted  frequently  and  with  severity,  it  oftener 
marks  a  want  of  sense  or  humanity,  on  the  one  part,  than  demerit 
on  the  other. 

We  hope  the  system  we  pursue,  will  have  had  an  effect  on  the 
child  you  will  receive  from  us,  which  will  render  him  useful  to 
you,  and  contribute  to  make  him  a  worthy  member  of  society, 
when  his  connection  with  you  shall  cease.  But  this  can  not  be 
expected,  unless  you,  to  whose  care  he  will  now  be  committed, 
interest  yourself  in  his  welfare. 

It  has  not  been  concealed  from  you,  and  ought  not  to  be  forgot- 
ten, that  this  child  has  been  a  delinquent.  We  beg,  therefore,  to 
remind  you  that  conduct  may  require  more  attention  than 

might  be  thought  necessary  to  one  who  had  never  been  led  from 
the  paths  of  virtue.  Should  your  kindness  and  care  redeem  this 
child,  and  make  religious,  moral,  and  industrious,  you  will 

participate  with  us  in  those  feelings,  which  must  result  from  the 
reflection  that  we  may  have  contributed  to  the  temporal  and  eter- 
nal happiness  of  a  fellow-being. 

It  will  be  very  satisfactory  to  us,  to  receive  from  you,  from  time 
to  time,  an  account  of  the  conduct  of  this  young  person.  This  is 
desirable  not  only  as  respects  the  individual,  but  should  be- 


180 


have,  as  we  hope  will,  your  favorable  report  will  be  service- 

able to  our  Institution.  We  wish  you  would  encourage  to 
write  occasionly  to  our  superintendent.  We  are  happy  to  say, 
that  the  accounts  we  have  had  of,  and  from  the  children,  we  have 
bound  out,  have  been,  except  in  a  very  few  instances,  highly  satis- 
factory. When  the  child's  service  has  expired,  it  is  desirable  that 
should  receive  from  you  a  certificate,  which  may  express 
your  opinion  of  conduct  while  was  under  your  care. 

With  a  hope  that  you  may  find  in  your  apprentice  a  worthy  and 
useful  servant,  and  he  in  you  an  able  instructer  and  kind  master, 
and  with  our  best  wishes  for  and  your  happiness  and  pros- 

perity, M'e  commit  to  your  care. 

By  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Managers, 

Superintendent. 

LETTER  TO  THE  APPRENTICE. 
House  of  Refuge,  New-  York,  1 82 

The  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of 
Juvenile  Delinquents, 

To 

You  are  about  to  leave  the  House  of  Refuge.  You  will  be  bound 
as  an  apprentice  to  a  person,  who,  the  Managers  believe,  will  pro- 
vide for  you,  instruct  you,  and  if  you  behave  well,  treat  you  with 
kindness. 

We  should  not  have  consented  to  part  with  you  at  this  time,  had 
not  your  conduct  given  us  reason  to  hope,  that  the  religious  and 
moral  instruction  you  have  received,  since  you  have  been  under 
our  care,  have  disposed  you  to  lead  an  honest,  industrious,  and  so- 
ber life.  You  are  now  of  an  age  when  you  are  capable  of  distin- 
guishing between  virtue  and  vice ;  you  have  had  experience  that 
must  teach  you,  that  if  you  are  good  you  may  be  happy,  if  you  are 
bad  you  must  be  miserable.  You  can  not  but  have  perceived  how 
much  your  welfare  depends  upon  yourself,  and  upon  the  observ- 
ance of  the  precepts  you  have  seen  inculcated  with  so  much  pains 
by  your  preceptors  in  the  House  of  Refuge.  Among  these  are  the 
following : — You  are  always  to  tell  the  truth.  You  are  to  be  obe- 
dient to  those  under  whose  care  you  are  placed,  doing  your  duty 
as  well  as  you  know  how,  industriously  and  cheerfully.  You  are 
to  be  civil  and  respectful  in  your  manners,  and  to  avoid  all  bad  lan- 
guage. You  will  find  time  that  you  may  employ,  not  only  in  reli- 
gious reading  and  exercises,  but  in  improving  your  mind,  and  in 
acquiring  such  learning  as  may  be  useful  to  you.  If  you  mean  to 
be  a  good  and  respectable  man,  you  will  not  fail  to  avail  yourself 
of  these  opportunities. 

Do  not  be  discouraged  by  what  has  happened  from  striving  to 
raise  yourself  to  a  respectable  station  in  the  world.  If  your  life  be 
hereafter  exemplary,  the  errors  of  your  infancy  will  be  forgiven  or 
forgotten.  In  our  happy  country,  every  honest  man  may  claim 
the  rewards  he  merits.  Many  of  our  most  distinguished  citizens 
have  been  the  makers  of  their  own  fortunes,  and  in  their  childhood 
were  as  poor  and  unprotected  as  you  have  been.  There  is  no 
reason  why  you,  if  you  pursue  the  course  they  have  done,  may  not 


181 


command  the  same  good  fortune.  At  all  events,  you  may  be  sure, 
that  if  you  make  yourself  master  of  your  business,  are  diligent  in 
your  calling,  establish  a  character,  for  truth,  honesty,  industry,  and 
sobriety,  you  can  not  fail  to  obtain  a  comfortable  living,  and  to  be 
beloved  and  respected.  Look  at  those  you  have  seen  in  poverty, 
and  observe  those  you  will  hereafter  meet  with,  who  are  in  want: 
you  will  generally,  if  not  always,  find,  that  they  owe  their  condi- 
tion to  bad  company,  to  idleness,  and  intemperance,  which  not  only 
debase  the  individual,  but  often  make  all  who  have  the  misfortune 
to  be  connected  with  him,  unhappy  and  ashamed  to  acknowledge 
any  relationship. 

When  you  see  a  man,  and  particularly  a  young  man,  frequenting 
bad  company,  given  to  drink,  and  using  profane  language ;  when 
you  see  that  he  neglects  his  business,  is  wasting  his  time,  and  taking 
no  pains  to  learn,  you  may  be  sure  he  is  in  the  road  to  ruin ;  he 
has  no  chance  to  be  reputable  ;  he  can  hope  for  nothing  but  to  live 
all  his  days  from  hand  to  mouth,  and  to  earn  by  mean  and  hard 
bodily  labor,  enough  to  keep  himself  alive,  and  if  he  should  have  a 
family,  to  save  them  from  starving.  On  the  other  hand,  if  you  see 
a  young  man  attentive  to  his  business,  passing  his  leisure  time  so- 
berly, but  cheerfully,  with  companions  of  whom  he  need  not  be 
ashamed ;  if  he  loses  no  opportunity  of  gaining  religious  and  moral 
instruction,  and  is  obedient  and  civil  in  his  manners,  you  may  be 
sure  that  when  left  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  he  will  al- 
ways be  beforehand.  Instead  of  leading  a  life  of  continual  toil  and 
hardship,  and  of  reliance  on  his  daily  labor  for  his  daily  bread,  he 
will  become  independent  and  happy,  and  may  have  around  him  a 
family  and  friends  who  will  esteem  and  respect  him,  and  be  proud 
of  their  connection  with  one  who  is  so  deserving. 

You  well  know  the  evil  consequences  of  bad  company :  there  is 
nothing  as  to  which  you  ought  to  be  more  on  your  guard.  You 
ought  particularly  to  avoid  those  with  whom  you  associated  before 
you  was  placed  in  the  House  of  Refuge.  That  you  may  not  be 
again  tempted  by  these,  you  should  not  be  too  anxious  to^return 
to  this  city,  and  put  yourself  in  a  situation  where  you  may  meet 
with  them.  When  your  time  of  service  is  out,  and  you  become 
your  own  master,  you  may  have  a  better  chance  of  success  in 
the  world,  if  you  will  establish  yourself  where  you  will  have 
no  friends  but  those  you  may  hereafter  make  by  your  good  con- 
duct, and  where  the  history  of  your  early  life  is  unknown. 

It  will  always  be  gratifying  to  us  to  hear  of  your  welfare.  WTe 
shall  be  pleased  to  learn  that  you  preserve  and  often  read  this  letter. 
We  wish  you  occasionally  to  write  to  our  Superintendent ;  you  will 
always  find  in  him,  and  in  us,  friends  ready  to  advise  and  to  serve 
you. 

Committing  you  to  the  protection  of  Providence,  and  to  the  care 
of  your  master,  and  repeating  our  admonition  to  you,  to  be  reli- 
gious, to  love  the  truth,  to  be  sober  and  industrious,  and  to  avoid 
bad  company,  we  bid  you  farewell. 

By  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Managers, 

Superintendent. 


182 


p 

8 
8 


8  ® 


8  W 
Q  8 


.2    s.  <^ 

•  *T       O  J>. 

CO       O  CO 


8 


EG 


EH  g 


o  © 
•2^ 


<~  S  = 

0  .2  2 

1  e- 
scS| 

5-  • 

'•SO 


.£    Oj  fa  p> 


■£  o  sj  «-  P,  <U 
>  9  <v  3  s  -i^inS 


a 

"      ^-i       ri  a> '  • 

w  ~  o  o .  a  <d 

2  S  M      ^  cs  .** 


a 


CQ  O  ^ 

CQcq 


a>  a 

§  o<sg » s  i 


•  ~    <l>  —    Oj  C«-,  ^WKJ 

so  5  £  so 
^  ©<S  ^ 

CQ 


CC 


a 

i 

b 
o 


>> 


^  C5  i-i 

00  (N 
C-l     •  00  • 
00  C  <-•  S3 


i-4  o      r~  CC5l» 

h  CO      O*  LO  i> 

O  'T  O  OS  CO  if 

rH  H  M  n 


^;5| 

.  -  .  X  -P 
I  .  = 

*.  g   .  0)  o 

^  S  g 

if  I II 


a  •  •  2  • 

s  :  £  : «  : 

■a  :  g  :  s  : 

^  I  ®  I  t3  " 

.  • a  .  o  : 

^-   .  fa  .     Ph  . 


I    -  to  i==i  —  ^ 


03 


CO 


Ofa 


«  o  g 

a  g  w  £ 
fa«2  OS 


^3 

©  ai  co  •  a 

-  w  a  :  © 


o  ^  o 


o  S  o 


o  a" 


.J*  3 


a  S  5 
a 


o 

H  

00  1—1      Ci  1-1 

oo  a  3  oo  a 

n  rt      i—l  d 


183 


Officers  of  the  Society* 
CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President. 
STEPHEN  ALLEN,  \ 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 
HENRY  I.  WYCKOFF, 
JAMES  LOVETT, 
PETER  SHARPE, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS,  Treasurer. 
FREDERICK  SHELDON,  Secretary. 

ANSELSWE1[VES,'  M.  D.    \  Physicians  and  Surgeons. 

House  of  Refuge. 

NATHANIEL  C.  HART,  Superintendent. 
P.  SHERLOCK,  Assistant  Superintendent. 
CATHARINE  GOEWEY,  Matron. 
MARY  WEAVER,  Assistant  Matron. 
DAVID  TERRY,  Jun.  Teacher. 


Vice  Presidents. 


Indenturing  Committee. 

WILLIAM  F.  MOTT, 
ROBERT  C.  CORNELL, 
NATHANIEL  RICHARDS. 


Acting*  Committee. 

WILLIAM  W.  FOX, 
JAMES  LOVETT, 
MYNDERT  VAN  SCHAICK, 
RUFUS  L.  LORD, 
RALPH  OLMSTED, 
JOHN  HUNTER. 


Stephen  Allen, 
Heman  Averill, 
Arthur  Burtis, 
c.  d.  colden, 
Robert  C.  Cornell, 
Cornelius  Dubois, 
William  W.  Fox, 
John  Griscom, 
Joseph  Grinnell, 
John  Hunter, 


Managers, 

John  E.  Hyde, 
Isaac  S.  Hone, 
Jacob  Harvey, 
Ansel  W.  Ives, 
James  Lovett, 
Rufus  L.  Lord, 
William  F.  Mott, 
Hugh  Maxwell, 
Dennis  M'Carthy, 
Ralph  Olmsted, 


Nath'l  Richards, 
Fred'k  Sheldon, 
Peter  Sharpe, 
John  Stearns, 
Benjamin  L.  Swan, 
Najah  Taylor, 
M.  Van  Schaick, 
Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 
John  W.  Wyman, 
Samuel  Wood. 


FIFTH  ANNUAL  REPORT, &c. 
2830. 

— 

The  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents, has  now  been  in  operation  five  years.  Pre- 
viously to  its  organization  much  pains  were  taken  to 
explain  to  the  public  the  necessity  for  such  an  insti- 
tution, the  principles  upon  which  it  was  to  be  estab- 
lished, and  the  benefits  it  was  expected  to  afford. 

At  each  anniversary,  the  execution  of  the  original 
design,  and  its  favorable  results,  have  been  fully  dis- 
closed. In  compliance  with  the  expectations  of  the 
public,  and  the  duty  of  the  Managers,  another  report 
is  now  to  be  presented. 

After  having  exhibited  the  usual  financial  and  sta- 
tistical accounts  for  the  past  year,  and  given  assu- 
rances of  the  general  prosperity  and  augmented  use- 
fulness of  the  establishment,  it  will  be  impossible  to 
add  any  thing  very  new  to  former  expositions.  But  as 
these  may  be  forgotten,  or  unknown  to  many,  it  will 
not  be  improper,  it  is  presumed,  to  notice,  generally, 
with  as  little  repetition  as  possible,  the  objects  of  the 
institution,  its  operation,  and  its  effects.  Such  re- 
marks will  be  offered  as  are  suggested  by  the  experi- 
ence we  have  now  had,  or  as  grow  out  of  circumstan- 
ces connected  with  the  institution. 

There  is  a  disposition  in  human  nature,  while  pre- 
sent advantages  are  enjoyed,  to  forget  the  past. 

We  shall  not  appreciate  the  usefulness  of  this 
establishment  unless  we  remember  what  was  the  con- 
dition before  this  asylum  was  opened,  of  that  class  of 
the  community  which  is  its  object. 

In  New- York,  as  in  every  large  city,  there  were  a 
number  of  forsaken  children,  many  of  them  orphans, 
and  many  who  derived  no  protection  from  parents, 
who  received  no  instruction  from  them  but  in  wicked- 
ness and  profanity,  and  no  example  but  in  the  prac- 
tice of  vice  and  immorality.  These  destitute  beings 
began  life  by  resorting  to  dishonest  means  to  main- 


185 


tain  it  and  became  criminal  in  their  infancy.  The 
law  made  no  distinction  between  the  minor,  after  a 
very  immature  age,  and  the  adult  offender;  much  less 
did  it  consider  the  education,  the  wants,  or  the  temp- 
tations of  the  criminal.  The  nature  of  the  punish- 
ment for  the  old  and  hardened  sinner,  and  for  the 
helpless,  ignorant,  starving  child,  was  the  same. — 
Not  only  was  there  no  difference  in  the  nature  of  the 
punishment  inflicted  on  the  old  and  the  young,  but 
the  treatment  of  all  while  under  accusation,  or  detain- 
ed for  trial,  was  similar.  All  were  secluded  in  the 
same  apartments.  The  inexperienced  child  was  asso- 
ciated with  the  aged,  and  hardened  criminal,  under 
circumstances  calculated  to  impart  the  contamination 
of  bad  society. 

It  often  happened  that  young  persons  who  were 
brought  into  this  situation,  were  not  accused  of  any 
crime,  but  were  committed  for  no  other  reason  than 
that  they  were  vagrants;  and  they  were  vagrants  only 
because  they  were  houseless  orphans,  or  were  driven 
from  their  unprovided  homes,  by  the  cruelty  or  vices 
of  their  parents.  • 

When  the  same  walls  enclosed  old  and  young  of- 
fenders, the  consequences  were  such  as  must  have 
been  expected.  From  the  moment  a  child  was  ob- 
noxious to  a  criminal  proceeding,  he  was  lost.  There 
could  be  no  hope  of  saving  him  from  destruction,  if 
he  were  innocent,  or  of  informing  him  if  he  were 
guilty.  His  life  was  one  of  incessant  transitions  from 
crime  to  punishment,  each  offence  more  aggravated 
in,  its  character,  till  he  became  a  hardened  villain, 
and  ended  in  being  a  capital  felon. 

Benevolent  men  who  had  an  opportunity  of  witness- 
ing this  deplorable  condition  of  things,  devised  the 
House  of  Refuge  as  a  means  of  alleviating,  if  not  re- 
medying, evils  so  disgraceful  to  humanity,  and  with 
which  the  savage  might  have  reproached  the  boasted 
refinements  of  civilization.  Many  of  these  have  left 
this  world,  and  if  departed  spirits  may  look  back 
upon  the  past,  our  Eddys,  Fews,  Jones,  Eastburns, 
and  Haynes,  must  regard  with  such  feelings  as  we 
may  believe  belong  to  another  and  a  better  nature, 
the  entire  success,  and  prosperity  of  an  institution 

24 


186 


which  they  had  so  large  a  share  in  establishing.  We 
should  not  suffer  the  active  zeal  of  such  men  in  the 
organization  of  this  charity  to  be  forgotten,  not  only 
because  the  world  owes  them  a  large  debt  of  grati- 
tude, but  because  a  remembrance  of  their  zealous 
co-operation  in  its  establishment,  should  subdue  the 
hostility  of  some,  who  have  endeavored  to  make  it  be 
believed  that  its  principal  means  of  support  are  di- 
verted from  a  more  legitimate  appropriation  of  them. 
But  the  institution  never  has  touched  a  cent  to  which 
there  is  any  more  lawful,  more  appropriate,  or  more 
conscientious  claim.  No  one  could  be  unfriendly  to 
such  a  charity,  or  could  desire  to  take  from  it  the  fa- 
vor of  the  public  or  of  the  legislature,  if  he  were 
acquainted  with  the  great  benefits  it  is  daily  affording 
to  the  community.  Let  the  person  who  would  ques- 
tion its  utility,  or  benevolence,  so  far  subdue  his  pre- 
judices as  to  be  induced  to  visit  the  House  of  Refuge. 
Let  him  see  for  himself  within  its  w  alls,  two  hundred 
children  enjoying  health,  comfort,  and  education. 
Let  him  turn  to  our  records  and  learn  what  was  the 
condition  of  these  young  persons  before  they  were 
consigned  to  our  care.  Let  him  also  learn  how  many 
have  been  redeemed  and  regenerated.  Let  him  turn 
his  thoughts  back  to  the  time  when  there  was  no 
refuge  for  the  parentless,  or  the  deserted,  or  seduced 
child  of  poverty.  Let  him  imagine  these  brought  to 
the  bars  of  our  criminal  courts,  and  tried,  and  con- 
demned. Let  him  reflecf  on  what  was  their  subse- 
quent treatment.  Let  his  imagination  follow  them  to 
their  prison,  and  keep  them  in  view  till  they  were 
again  turned  into  the  streets  to  starve,  or  to  steal. — 
But  let  him  further  imagine  that  the  doors  of  the 
House  of  Refuge  are  opened,  and  the  children  he  sees 
before  him  left  to  wander  without  protection  or  home : 
and  if  he  has  any  thing  of  humanity  in  his  composi- 
tion, it  could  not  but  recoil  from  the  consequences 
which  he  must  see  would  ensue. 

While  we  are  adverting  to  the  founders  of  this  mer- 
ciful charity,  it  is  just  to  claim  for  them  the  credit  of 
having  been  the  first  to  establish  an  institution  on  the 
principles  we  have  adopted.  This,  because  we  have 
called  our  building  the  House  of  Refuge,  a  name 


187 


.Which  hns  long  been  applied  in  Europe,  is  often  de- 
nied. But  the  Society  for  the  reformation  of  Juvenile 
Delinquents,  is  very  different  in  its  powers,  and  indeed 
in  its  objects,  from  any  institution  that  existed  pre- 
viously to  its  incorporation,  in  this  or  any  other 
country. 

It  is  true  that  before  our  society  was  thought  of, 
Houses  of  Refuge  existed  in  England,  and  probably 
elsewhere.  But  these  were  either  pure  charities  to 
receive  and  comfort  destitute  children,  so  long  as  they 
should  be  in  want  of  mere  penitentiaries  for  the  pun- 
ishment of  such  as  were  convicted  of  crime.  There 
was  no  authority  to  detain  a  child  who  was  not  crim- 
inal, and  all  the  power  and  control  over  one  who  was 
so,  was  prescribed  by  his  sentence,  and  ceased  when 
that  expired,  and  he  quitted  the  walls  of  the  prison. 
No  provision  could  be  made  for  his  protection  during 
his  non-age. 

The  legislature  has  very  much  enlarged  the  ob- 
jects of  our  institution,  and  entrusted  to  its  managers 
powers  that  have  not  heretofore  been  delegated. 
These  are  essential  to  its  beneficent  action,  and  mark 
the  great  difference  between  it  and  other  institutions 
that  previously  existed,  however  similar  they  may  be 
in  name.  If  a  child  be  found  destitute — if  abandoned 
by  its  parents — or  suffered  to  lead  a  vicious  or  va- 
grant life ;  or  if  convicted  of  any  crime,  it  may  be 
sent  to  the  House  of  Refuge.  There  is  in  no  case 
any  other  sentence  than  that  it  shall "  there  be  dealt 
with  according  to  law."  That  is,  it  may  if  not  re- 
leased by  some  legal  process,  be  there  detained,  if 
the  managers  should  think  it  unfit  to  be  sooner  dis- 
charged, until  it  arrives  at  age.  Parents  or  guardians, 
from  the  time  it  is  legally  sentenced  to  the  Refuge, 
lose  all  control  of  its  person.  When  it  is  believed 
that  a  child  is  reformed,  the  managers  have  power, 
with  its  consent,  to  bind  it  as  an  apprentice,  till  the 
age  of  eighteen  years,  if  a  female,  and  if  a  boy  till 
the  age  of  twenty-one.  It  is  these  important  features 
that  mark  the  difference  between  our  institution  and 
all  others  that  previously  existed;  and  it  is  in  this 
sense  that  we  may  say  with  truth,  that  the  New- York 
House  of  Refuge  was  the  first  of  its  kind  ever  estab- 
lished. 


188 


The  system  of  instruction,  employment,  and  dis- 
cipline, as  developed  in  our  former  reports,  is  not 
materially  changed.  The  attention  of  the  children 
to  religious  and  moral  instruction;  the  assiduity  with 
which  they  study;  the  industry  with  which  they  la- 
bor; their  cleanliness  and  healthful  appearance, 
cheerfulness  and  orderly  conduct,  evince  the  zeal, 
intelligence,  and  discretion  of  the  superintendent, 
and  of  those  to  whom  the  immediate  management  of 
the  institution  is  entrusted. 

The  education  of  a  large  portion  of  the  children 
who  are  taken  into  the  House  of  Refuge,  is  found  to 
have  been  as  much  neglected  as  their  morals.  Very 
many  of  them  can  neither  write  nor  read.  But  though 
by  the  rules  of  the  house,  only  four  hours  a  day  are 
devoted  to  their  schooling,  they  make  a  progress  in 
learning  equal  to  what  is  generally  experienced  in 
institutions  devoted  to  literary  instruction.  In  most 
instances,  the  child  whose  delinquenc'es^render  him 
a  subject  for  this  establishment,  has  been  led  to  an 
early  exercise  of  his  mental  faculties.  The  frauds  or 
tricks  he  has  practised  to  provide  for  his  sustenance, 
or  for  the  gratification  of  his  vicious  propensities, 
have  obliged  him  to  exercise  thought,  reflection,  and 
ingenuity.  The  mind  of  such  a  one  seems  precocious, 
more  so  than  that  of  a  child  whose  wants  are  all  sup- 
plied, who  has  found  no  necessity  for  the  exercise  of 
his  own  energies,  and  who  has  been  accustomed  to 
rely  on  the  judgment  and  guidance  of  others.  An 
early  self-dependence  prepares  these  children  to  re- 
ceive instruction,  and  when  their  minds  are  rightly 
directed,  that  ability  which  would  have  made  ingen- 
ious rogues,  renders  them  apt  scholars.  There  are 
few  who  leave  the  House  of  Refuge,  who  have  not  the 
rudiments  of  a  common  education,  and  very  generally 
are  so  far  capable  of  reading,  writing,  and  ciphering, 
as  to  be  able  to  engage  in  ordinary  business.  Many 
of  them,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  subjoined  reports,  have 
so  profited  by  the  instruction  they  have  received  in 
this  institution,  as  to  have  laid,  as  we  may  hope,  the 
foundation  of  their  advancement  to  stations  in  society 
of  profit,  usefulness,  and  respect. 

The  managers  mention  with  much  pleasure,  that 


189 


they  have  a  means  of  disposing  of  a  number  of  the 
elder  boys,  which  is  particularly  advantageous  to 
them.  Eighty  of  these  have  been  bound  (always  with 
their  own  consent,  and  that  of  their  parents,  when  they 
could  be  consulted)  to  the  owners,  or  masters  of  wha- 
lers from  tiie  Eastward.  In  this  employment,  the  lad, 
for  many  months,  and  sometimes  for  years,  is  abstract- 
ed from  his  bad  associates,  and  has  no  opportunity  of 
returning  to  his  former  habits.  On  the  contrary,  he 
finds  himself  subject  to  wholesome  restraint  and  dis- 
cipline, and  has  the  example,  though  they  be  sailors, 
of  moral,  industrious,  and  religious  companions.  He 
finds  at  once  too,  that  he  may  derive  a  profit  to  him- 
self from  his  own  exertions ;  for,  in  this  trade,  even  the 
apprentices  are  sharers  in  the  loss  and  gain.  It  is 
very  satisfactory  to  refer  to  the  letters  subjoined  to 
the  Reports,  written  from  another  hemisphere  by  lads 
who  are  from  the  House  of  Refuge,  and  by  their  mas- 
ters. The  first  will  shew  how  the  human  mind  ex- 
pands— how  capable  it  is  of  generous  and  virtuous 
sentiments,  when  it  feels  independence,  and  is  cheered 
by  hope.  The  other  letters  teach  us  that  we  should 
never  believe  a  young  person  so  depraved,  as  that 
judicious  treatment  may  not  produce  reformation. 

The  influence  and  efficacy  which  the  moral  system 
of  treatment  pursued  in  the  Refuge,  has  on  the  chil- 
dren, may  be  illustrated  by  the  following  facts. 

Within  the  walls  of  the  prison  is  a  pretty  large  piece 
of  ground,  cultivated  as  a  fruit  and  flower  garden,  as 
well  as  for  raising  vegetables  for  the  use  of  the  House. 
The  fruits  and  flowers  are  all  within  reach  of  the  chil- 
dren, and  indeed  when  they  are  in  season,  are  tempt- 
ing them  every  moment.  Yet  there  is  scarcely  an  in- 
stance of  any  thing  having  been  touched  without  per- 
mission. It  may  be  thought  that  this  forbearance  is 
produced  by  great  severity.  This  is  not  the  case. 
The  youthful  inmates  of  this  institution  are  governed 
by  appeals  to  their  understandings,  to  their  generous 
feelings,  rather  than  by  corporal  punishments.  It  is 
rectitude,  or  the  fear  of  disgrace,  and  not  of  pain,  that 
has  this  happy  influence.  In  this  little  community, 
each  member  of  it  is  led  to  estimate  the  value  of  char- 
acter, and  is  not  only  anxious  to  avoid  a  bad  reputa 


190 


tion,but  is  emulous  of  being  distinguished  among  his 
fellows  for  his  goodness,  his  proficiency,  and  his  abil- 
ity. Badges  of  distinction  are  here  objects  of  ambi- 
tion, are  borne  with  pride,  and  regarded  with  defer- 
ence, as  they  are  by  human  nature  under  other  cir- 
cumstances. With  this  difference,  that  here  they  are 
known  to  be  always  the  reward  of  merit,  and  are 
never  the  adventitious  appendages  of  birth  or  good 
fortune. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  these  may  be  considered 
by  some,  as  prejudiced  and  exaggerated  representa- 
tions of  the  patrons  of  the  institution.  The  fear  that 
this  may  be  the  case,  should  not  prevent  our  exhibit- 
ing what  we  conscientiously  believe  to  be  the  truth. 
We  owe  to  humanity  a  faithful  and  fearless  testimony 
of  the  success  of  the  experiment  we  are  making.  It 
is  a  step  in  the  improvement  of  the  condition  of  man- 
kind, which  it  is  so  obvious  Providence  is  permitting. 
When  generations  to  come,  look  back  to  trace  the 
amelioration  of  their  species,  they  will  find  among  the 
first  grades  our  Infant  and  Public  Schools,  the  refor- 
mation of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  and  our  merciful  pen- 
itentiary code. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  it  is  pretended  that  we 
are  invariably  successful  in  producing  reformation; 
on  the  contrary,  it  is  acknowledged  that  we  sometimes 
meet  with  incorrigible  wickedness;  but  this  is  so 
rarely  the  case,  that  we  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  that 
after  some  years  of  experience,  we  are  warranted  to 
present  the  above  as  faithful  representations  of  the 
condition  of  the  institution  and  its  general  effects. 

The  managers  feel  it  a  duty  to  notice  particularly 
the  female  department.  Though  they  have  to  regret 
that  the  ill  health  of  their  former  excellent  Matron, 
Miss  Goewey,  has  deprived  them  of  her  services,  her 
place  is  supplied  by  a  lady  in  whom  they  have  every 
reason  to  believe  they  may  repose  entire  confidence. 
The  acknowledgments  of  the  managers  are  especially 
due  to  the  ladies  whose  report  is  herewith  submitted. 
A  committee  of  the  Senate  of  this  state  at  the  last  ses- 
sion, offers  to  the  benevolence  of  the  ladies  who  have 
devoted  themselves  to  this  charity,  a  tribute  in  which 
the  managers  most  cordially  join.    The  ladies  whose 


191 


Report  is  now  presented,  have  been  no  less  active, 
zealous,  and  useful,  than  their  predecessors.  Their 
superintending  care  is  attended  with  the  happiest  ef- 
fects, and  is  essential  to  the  good  management  of  this 
branch  of  the  institution.  Their  Report  offers  sug- 
gestions well  deserving  consideration.  It  is  as  they 
have  observed,  extraordinary,  that  while  we  see  at 
every  corner  of  our  streets  so  many  youthful  females 
abandoned  to  vicious  courses — while  so  many  of  them 
are  prosecuted  as  vagrants,  and  criminals,  so  few 
should  be  found  in  an  asylum,  where,  under  the  guar- 
dianship of  the  most  amiable  of  their  own  sex,  they 
would  receive  religious,  moral,  and  useful  instruction, 
and  when  they  left  the  walls  that  confined  them, 
would  be  put  into  a  right  path. 

The  reports  of  cases  of  females  heretofore  and  now 
submitted,  shew  in  how  many  instances  the  hapless 
child  was  vicious,  only  because  her  virtuous  dispo- 
sitions were  uncultivated,  and  how  often  the  most 
hopeless  depravity  has  yielded  to  the  influences  of 
the  institution.  There  are  many  females  who  have 
been  bound  out  by  the  managers,  who  are  now  lead- 
ing exemplary  lives,  and  who,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
letters  annexed  to  the  reports,  are  gaining  the  confi- 
dence and  good  will  of  all  around  them.  It  happens 
in  many  instances  that  females,  when  the  time  for 
which  they  are  sentenced  expires,  are  so  nearly  of 
age,  that  they  must  be  discharged  without  such  pro- 
vision as  may  be  made  for  younger  persons.'  A  female, 
though  she  may  have  been  reformed  in  the  Refuge, 
and  may  have  determined  to  lead  a  life  of  virtue  and 
industry,  if  she  be  nearly  eighteen  years  old,  cannot 
be  indentured — she  must  be  discharged.  Without  a 
home,  without  friends,  without  means,  and  even  with- 
out a  character,  except  such  as  she  can  obtain  from 
those  who  have  known  her  only  as  a  delinquent, — she 
could  hardly  have  any  choice  but  to  starve,  or  to 
obtain  a  miserable  subsistence  by  a  return  to  her  for- 
mer habits, — and  although  benevolent  persons  do 
often  interpose  to  rescue  objects  from  this  dire  ne- 
cessity, yet  the  managers  agree  with  the  ladies'  com- 
mittee, that  nothing  can  be  more  desirable  than  that 
there  should  be  some  permanent  resource  for  unhappy 
beings  so  circumstanced. 


192 


Among  the  benevolent  projects  which  constantly 
filled  the  mind  of  our  late  excellent  and  venerable  as- 
sociate, Thomas  Eddy,  was  one  for  establishing  an 
asylum  for  *hose  who  might  deserve  it,  and  who  are 
turned  from  our  prisons  in  a  desolate  state.  He 
proposed  to  give  them  a  shelter  and  employment,  by 
which  they  might  earn  something,  until  they  could  be 
offered  the  means  of  gaining  an  honest  livelihood. 
It  was  part  of  his  plan  to  obtain  a  law  which  would 
authorise  persons  who  needed  the  benefit  of  such  an 
establishment,  to  bind  themselves  to  submit  to  its 
regulations,  so  that  they  might  not  be  uncontrolled 
when  in  it,  or  leave  it  at  their  pleasure.  There  would 
seem  to  be  much  less  difficulty  in  realizing  such  a 
prospect  for  females,  than  for  the  other  sex.  Possi- 
bly it  wants  only  the  patronage  of  the  ladies,  who  in 
their  report  advert  with  so  much  feeling  and  humanity 
to  the  deplorable  condition  of  young  women  dischar- 
ged from  the  House  of  Refuge,  to  bring  into  existence 
a  charity  the  successful  operation  of  which  would  be 
so  grateful  to  their  feelings. 

Though  there  be  vacant  room  in  the  female  apart- 
ment, the  boys'  house  is  generally  so  crowded  that  it 
often  happens,  that  there  are  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
obliged  to  sleep  in  the  halls-  and  passages, — an  ar- 
rangement which  is  a  violation  of  the  salutary  regula- 
tion that  each  child  shall  have  a  separate  dormitory, 
and  be  secluded  when  he  cannot  be  watched.  It  is  in 
the  silence  of  night,  in  solitude,  and  within  the  naked 
walls  of  a  cell,  that  the  mind  is  obliged  to  turn  upon 
itself,  and  that  reflection  is  awakened  which  gives 
growth  to  the  seeds  of  virtue  and  religion,  planted  in 
the  school  and  in  the  chapel. 

The  managers  soon  perceived  that  though  the  influ- 
ence of  the  institution  in  society,  in  lessening  the 
number  of  crimes,  should  be  equal  to  their  most  san- 
guine expectations,  the  present  buildings  would  be 
too  small  for  the  increase  of  population,  and  to  meet 
the  extended  operation  which  is  given  to  the  House 
of  Refuge,  by  the  act  of  the  legislature  opening  it  for 
young  delinquents  from  every  part  of  the  state. 

The  managers,  therefore,  in  1828,  proposed  to  build 
an  additional  house,  and  with  that  view  obtained 


193 


from  the  late  Governor  Clinton,  who  was  so  much  the 
friend  and  patron  of  the  institution,  an  order  on  the 
health  commissioners  for  seven  thousand  dollars,  to 
be  applied  to  the  erection  of  a  new  building.  Only 
two  thousand  dollars  had  been  received  under  this 
order,  when  the  law  of  1829  placed  the  revenue  of 
the  establishment  on  a  new  footing.  But  this  two 
thousand  dollars  has  been  held  for  the  purpose  for 
which  it  was  designed,  and  forms  part  of  the  availa- 
ble funds  on  hand,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  subjoined 
account.  The  managers  are  happy  to  find,  that  this 
year  there  will  be  some  surplus,  and  they  now  hope 
that  these  funds  will  soon-  warrant  them  to  erect  the 
building  so  much  required,  and  enable  them  to  meet 
the  increased  expenses  of  an  enlarged  establishment. 

It  may  be  thought,  that  when  we  represent  the 
children  in  the  House  of  Refuge  as  enjoying  all  the 
comforts  of  life,  and  as  submitting  to  their  confinement 
with  cheerfulness,  it  must  lose  so  much  of  the  charac- 
ter of  a  penitentiary,  that  to  be  confined  in  it  will  not 
be  considered  as  a  punishment,  and  that  the  fear  of 
being  sent,  or  returned  to  it,  will  not  deter  young  per- 
sons from  the  commission  of  crimes.  But  it  must  be 
remembered,  that  it  is  by  amending  the  heajrt,  inspi- 
ring a  love  of  virtue,  and  a  conscious  rectitude,  that 
this  institution  is  expected  to  produce  its  beneficial 
effects.  If  experience  warranted  the  conclusion  that 
this  could  only  be  done  by  terror,  the  House  of 
Refuge  might  fail  in  its  objects.  But  though  it  has 
been  established  now  more  than  five  years,  how  few 
are  the  instances  of  a  child  being  re-committed  after 
a  regular  discharge !  Let  us  contrast  this  with  the 
representations  of  the  District  Attorney  made  in  1822, 
when  with  a  view  to  the  formation  of  this  Society,  he 
furnished  from  the  records  of  the  police  office,  a  list 
of  upwards  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  cases  of  juvenile 
delinquents.  This  did  not  include  the  young  persons 
who  were  charged  with  indictable  offences.  Fifty  or 
sixty  of  these,  he  stated,  were  tried  in  the  course  of  a 
year,  and  some  of  them  not  over  fourteen  or  fifteen 
years  of  age,  he  had  known  to  be  indicted  and  tried 
five  or  six  times.  But  the  love  of  liberty  is  as  natural 
to  man  as  the  love  of  life.    It  may  be  said  of  incar- 

25 


194 


ceration  as  it  has  been  of  slavery — disguise  it  as  you 
will,  still  it  is  a  bitter  draught.  The  cage  cannot  be 
made  so  tine,  or  so  comfortable,  that  the  bird  will  not 
covet  the  open  air. 

The  frequent,  and  as  will  be  seen  by  a  subjoined 
document,  sometimes  successful  attempts,  to  escape 
from  the  Refuge,  is  evidence  that  there  is  little  proba- 
bility that  we  shall  ever  have  voluntary  inmates ;  and 
there  seems  no  reason  to  believe  that  there  will  not 
bea  fear  of  this  prison,  or  of  being  subjected  to  its 
confinement  and  discipline,  after  they  have  been  once 
experienced.  Indeed  we  know  that  "  the  boys' 
prison"  is  very  familiar  in  the  mouths  of  a  certain 
class  of  the  younger  part  of  our  population,  and  is 
mentioned  with  a  dread  that  to  be  sent  to  it  may  be 
the  punishment  of  misconduct. 

It  is  highly  gratifying  for  the  managers  to  repeat, 
after  the  experience  of  so  many  years,  that  the  House 
of  Refuge  continues  to  realize  the  anticipations  of  its 
warmest  friends  and  advocates.  Religion,  policy,  and 
benevolence,  require  its  support,  not  only  in  reference 
to  the  present  time,  but  in  regard  to  other  genera- 
tions, to  whom,  with  a  continuance  of  the  liberality 
they  have  heretofore  met  from  the  legislature,  and 
with  the  blessing  of  Providence  on  their  zeal  and  ex- 
ertions, the  managers  hope  to  transmit  the  institution. 

SEEECTIOM  OF  CASES  AND  LETTERS 

From  Apprentices,  and  from  Persons  to  whom  Apprentices 
have  been  bound. 

BOYS. 

A.  B.,  the  son  of  a  dissolute  mother  and  a  runaway  father, — was 
bound  out  from  the  Aims-House,  discharged  by  his  master,  and  in 
a  few  months  changed  his  place  of  service  in  this  city  five  or  six 
times.  This  course  led  to  idle  and  reckless  habits  ;  visiting  Thea- 
tres, and  petty  thefts  followed,  and  he  came  into  the  Refuge,  with 
a  peevish  and  sullen  disposition  and  only  able  to  spell  words  of  one 
syllable.  This  is  one  of  the  cases  in  which  the  efficacy  of  a  mild, 
firm  and  regular  system  of  instruction,  was  soon  made  apparent 
by  bringing  out  the  good  qualities  cf  the  lad.    He  was  indentured 


195 


in  October,  1828.  August  12,  1829,  his  master  writes  as  follows: 
— "  For  the  most  part  A.  is  a  very  good  boy,  and  certainly  we 
would  not  part  with  him  for  any  consideration.  He  is  generally 
faithful  and  steady  at  his  work,  which  consists  in  tending  my  gar- 
den, &c.  When  he  gets  older,  I  shall  put  him  on  the  farm  and  in- 
struct him  in  all  the  branches  of  the  profession,  provided  he  proves 
a  good  boy,  stays  with  me  till  he  is  21,  is  smart  and  industrious, 
and  looks  to  my  interest  as  to  his  own,  he  shall  never  be  turned  off 
with  no  more  than  is  mentioned  in  his  indentures.  I  have  it  in  my 
power  to  do  as  much  for  him  as  any  man  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try;  having  no  children  of  my  own  and  two  good  farms,  either  of 
which  I  shall  be  glad  for  him  to  manage  after  he  is  21,  and  in  a  way 
that  he  shall  find  profitable.  In  fine,  it  is  my  design  to  make  a 
smart  business  man  of  him,  and  to  this  end  he  shall  have  a  good 
education.  He  is  not  suffered  to  spend  the  Sabbath  day  as  some 
other  boys  in  this  place  and  elsewhere  do,  in  strolling  from  place 
to  place,  hunting,  fishing,  swimming,  &c. :  but  on  such  days  he  is 
generally  found  with  his  spelling  book  or  testament,  reading  to  me 
or  my  wife,  or  to  himself.  In  fine,  I  shall  spare  no  pains  to  make 
a  good  and  respectable  citizen  of  him,  and  if  he  does  not  do  well, 
his  blood  shall  not  be  upon  my  hands." 

In  another  letter  he  says — "  I  have  always  found  him  remarkably 
quick  and  willing  to  do  whatever  I  command  him,  and  perhaps  no 
boy  of  his  age  has  proved  himself  more  trusty  and  faithful  when 
left  alone,  &c.  He  often  speaks  of  Mr.  Hart,  and  I  think  views 
him  almost  in  the  relation  of  a  father,  though  nothing  will  cause 
him  to  shed  tears  sooner  than  to  talk  of  sending  him  back  again  to 
the  House  of  Refuge,  &lc.  I  have  taken  the  special  charge  of  his 
education,  &c.  He  loves  me  dearly,  and  his  mistress,  as  he  loves 
his  life." 

The  letter  is  too  long  to  be  continued,  but  it  is  filled  with  favor- 
able descriptions  of  the  boy,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  his 
prospects  of  success  in  life  are  of  the  most  animating  kind.  We 
scarcely  know  which  most  to  admire,  the  character  of  the  boy,  or 
that  of  his  christian  master. 

George  W.,  at  the  age  of  10,  had  accomplished  so  great  a  num- 
ber of  petty  thefts  as  to  make  him  an  adept.  His  last  feat  was  a 
burglary  of  a  daring  character,  for  which  he  was  committed  to  the 
Refuge,  on  the  20th  of  February,  1827.  Having  grownup  toman's 
estate  in  profligate  habits,  with  thoughts  bent  on  mischief,  and 
being  wholly  unaccustomed  to  work,  he  found  his  situation  in  the 
house  extremely  irksome.  Upon  one  occasion,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  use  severe  measures  to  reduce  him  to  obedience.  But 
being  administered  in  the  cautious  and  paternal  manner  which  the 
rules  prescribe,  happy  effects  soon  followed,  and  in  16  months  after 
his  commitment,  he  was  considered  fit  to  be  indentured. 

On  the  23d  February,  1829,  his  master  writes  as  follows: — "I 
have  received  your  letter  making  enquiries  respecting  G.  W.,who*n 
I  got  from  the  House  of  Refuge  in  June  last,  and  can  say  he  is 
industrious,  and  that  I  have  no  knowledge  but  that  he  has  a  strict 
regard  for  truth,  that  he  attends  public  worship  and  sabbath  school, 
and  reads  the  scriptures  ;  that  I  believe  he  does  as  well  as  he 
knows  how,  and  exceeds  my  expectations.  He  considers  the 
House  of  Refuge  a  blessing  for  him,  and  speaks  of  the  Superin- 
tendent in  the  highest  terms." 


196 


Anthony  C.  born  on  the  passage  from  France.  His  parents 
died  before  he  was  two  years  old. 

Committed  by  the  police  in  March  1825,  for  a  petty  crime.  A 
most  impracticable  boy.  After  two  years  discipline  in  the  House, 
he  was  bound  out  with  some  misgivings.  But  the  account  of  him 
is  favorable.  His  master  writes  :  "  C.  has  conducted  as  well  as  I 
could  expect  a  boy  of  his  age,  he  has  made  but  very  few  acquain- 
tances since  he  has  been  with  me  in  this  place,  and  appears  to  be 
very  well  contented  and  has  no  disposition  to  run  about  the 
town  in  the  evening,  as  many  boys  do.  I  should  be  loth  to  part 
with  him  for  the  chance  of  obtaining  a  better." 

J.  R.  commenced  thieving  at  9  years  of  age,  and  soon  became 
notorious,  being  frequently  instigated  by  older  boys  to  enter 
houses  to  steal  plate,  watches,  &,c.  "  After  having  been  in  the 
House  of  Refuge  more  than  a  year,  he  became  one  of  the  most  in- 
teresting children  we  had."  April  17,  1829,  his  master  writes  as 
follows,  "  J.  R.  is  in  good  health  and  very  well  pleased  with  his 
situation,  and  we  are  much  pleased  with  him,  we  would  be  glad  to 
hear  from  you  to  obtain  the  1st  annual  report  of  the  House,  if  con- 
venient to  send  it.  It  gives  J.  R.  new  energy  every  time  he  hears 
you  approve  of  his  good  behaviour,  and  on  that  account  a  line  now 
and  then  would  be  of  infinite  service  to  the  boy  and  gratifying 
to,"  &c. 

Subsequent  verbal  information  confirms  this  account,  and  says, 
"  that  J.  R.  indulges  no  other  disposition  than  to  make  a  man  of 
himself." 

J.  M.  B.  an  orphan  boy,  was  bound  out  from  the  alms  house  and 
ran  away  from  his  conductor,  before  he  left  the  city.  His  exploits 
were  numerous  and  various,  reaching  almost  every  description  of 
petty  thefts,  such  as  of  old  lead,  copper,  rope,  porter  bottles,  eggs, 
and  fruit  in  the  markets,  a  shawl  from  a  store,  &c.  For  these  and 
other  offences,  he  has  been  in  Bridewell  10  or  12  times,  but  always 
escaped  conviction  because  no  one  appeared  against  him.  When 
brought  to  the  Refuge,  May  9,  1827,  it  was  soon  discovered  that 
he  had  one  redeeming  quality  which  has  been  made  the  foundation 
of  a  good  work.  "He  told  the  truth  with  the  utmost  prompti- 
tude," and  in  a  few  months  excited  attention  by  his  industry  and 
punctuality.  But  such  had  been  the  extent  of  his  depredations 
and  so  apprehensive  were  the  Indenturing  Committee  that  at  the 
age  of  14,  the  bad  habits  he  had  contracted  when  at  large  upon  the 
world  with  no  hand  to  guide  and  no  heart  to  cherish  him,  had  be- 
come too  confirmed  to  be  suddenly  eradicated,  that  he  was  de- 
tained in  the  House  16  months  before  they  acquired  sufficient  con- 
fidence in  his  stability  to  put  him  out. 

March  15,  1829,  his  master  writes: — "It  affords  me  much 
pleasure  to  report  to  you  the  general  good  conduct  and  behavior 
of  J.  M.  B.  I  have  discovered  in  him  no  vicious  habits,  he  is  faith- 
ful, honest,  and  industrious,  though  not  as  active  as  I  could  wish; 
always  willing  and  obedient,  even  tempered,  and  appears  perfectly 
contented.  He  has  been  at  school  this  winter,  besides  attending 
Sabbath  school  and  church  with  my  family.  Is  very  attentive  to  his 
book,  reads  his  bible,  and  receives  good  instructions  from  my 
family.    He  speaks  very  highly  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  and  often 


197 


speaks  of  Mr.  Hart  with  as  much  respect  as  a  child  for  a  father. 
With  my  best  wishes  for  your  Society,  &c." 

A.  T.,  had  been  employed  in  selling  sweet  potatoes,  clams,  &c. 
about  the  streets,  (the  most  fatal  business  a  boy  can  pursue)  and 
contracted  an  inveterate  habit  of  drinking  ardent  spirits,  which  led 
to  the  commission  of  other  errors.  He  was  sent  to  the  House  as 
a  vagrant.  After  18  months  of  detention,  his  conduct  became  so 
satisfactory,  that  he  was  indentured  to  learn  a  carpenter's  trade. 
Poor  fellow!  his  unhappy  propensity  returned  upon  him,  and  the 
slave  of  rum  again  became  an  inmate  of  the  House  of  Refuge. 
Eighteen  months  training  in  temperate,  industrious  and  moral  hab- 
its, had  not  been  sufficient  to  cure  that  dreadful  malady,  and  his 
master  with  sorrow  gave  him  back  to  our  care.  After  a  suitable 
time  had  elapsed,  he  was  bound  out  to  a  Nantucket  Merchant,  and 
departed  on  a  three  years  whaling  voyage.  His  letter  dated  "  Coast 
of  Japan,  Lat.  32,  Long." —  is  too  long  for  insertion,  but  from  its 
cleanly  appearance  and  fair  hand,  we  should  judge  that  he  was  kept 
from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits. 

April  7,  1825. 

T.  S. — from  the  Police,  aged  13  years.  His  mother  died  three 
years  since.  This  boy  was  and  we  presume  is  still  what  is  tech- 
nically called,  a  hard  character.  The  detail  of  his  criminal  ex- 
ploits, would  fatigue  the  reader.  He  followed  stealing  as  a  profes- 
sion, and  with  associates  of  the  same  age,  seems  to  have  delighted 
in  the  vocation  in  which  he  had  acquired  expertness  and  hardi- 
hood. 

He  remained  in  the  Refuge  more  than  three  years,  and  great 
desire  was  felt  to  place  him  at  a  good  trade.  He  had  the  fairest 
opportunities,  but  every  attempt  failed,  and  he  was  at  length  bound 
to  a  merchant  of  Nantucket. 

■He  writes  to  Mr.  Hart: —       September  12,  1828. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  let  you  know  that  I  am  in  good  health. 
We  have  had  a  pleasant  time:  we  are  on  the  Brazilian  Banks,  <fcc. 
You  must  excuse  my  letter.  I  just  want  to  mention  to  the  boys 
that  want  to  go  to  sea,  if  they  were  to  see  me  on  the  maintop-gal- 
lant mast,  or  royal  yards,  they  would  like  to  stay  at  home;  but  if 
they  would  like  to  come,  let  them  come. 

Your  Refuge  Boy. 

W.  A. — received  into  the  House,  March  8,  1828,  from  a  Court  of 
Special  Sessions  held  in  the  country,  aged  14  years.  His  father 
drinks  very  hard;  his  mother  is  in  the  Poor  House,  with  all  her 
children  except  the  oldest. 

W,  was  indentured  by  the  Poor  Masters,  three  or  four  times, 
and  ran  away  as  often.  His  thefts  were  trifling.  Being  only  ac- 
customed to  a  vagrant  life,  it  was  difficult  to  change  his  habits  to 
those  of  order  and  industry.  But  in  a  few  months  he  became  what 
the  Superintendent  calls  a  "  lovely  boy."  He  was  indentured  to  a 
farmer  in  Illinois,  a  kind  and  respectable  man,  who  answers  our 
letter,  October  4,  1 829.  "  He  is  both  trust-worthy  and  industrious. 
He  has  as  strict  a  regard  for  truth  as  children  of  his  age  commonly 
have.    I  am  fully  convinced  he  does  as  well  as  he  knows  how,"  &c. 

February  10,  1827. 
William,  committed  by  the  Police,  aged  14  years.    His  parents 


198 


arc  still  more  depraved  than  those  mentioned  in  the  last  history. 
Their  residence  is  the  abode  of  dissipation  and  misery.  A  linger- 
ing recollection  of  former  respectability,  induced  them  to  send 
William  to  school.  But  what  could  the  boy  do  to  resist  the  effect 
of  so  much  bad  example.  Domestic  instructions  he  had  none;  a 
virtuous  precept  he  probably  never  heard.  He  ran  from  school, 
was  bound  to  a  shoemaker,  ran  away:  was  put  to  a  chair  maker, 
stopped  a  little  while  and  quit:  he  then  became  a  vagrant,  and  his 
history  exhibits  an  acquaintance  with  the  most  depraved  modes  of 
life.  After  he  was  in  the  House  13  months,  he  was  indentured  to 
a  farmer.  Here  he  stayed  only  4  months  :  his  vicious  thoughts 
had  not  been  eradicated  nor  his  heart  changed.  He  was  found  in 
his  old  haunts,  and  returned  to  the  House:  some  months  after, 
made  his  escape,  was  recovered,  and  after  another  probation,  was 
indentured  to  a  respectable  merchant  in  Nantucket.  This  is  a  bad 
case,  and  yet,  thank  Heaven!  not  without  hope,  for  while  this 
report  is  preparing,  the  following  letters  from  him  have  been  re- 
ceived. 

$  Ship  E  ,  at  Cape  Verd 

l  Islands,  August  14,  1829. 
Dear  Grandmother. — I  take  the  first  opportunity  of  informing 
you  by  a  letter  that  I  am  in  a  very  good  state  of  health.  We  have 
been  out  now  one  month,  and  I  expect  I  shall  be  gone  about 
twenty  eight  or  thirty  months.  I  am  very  much  pleased  with  the 
vessel  and  all  the  officers,  they  appear  to  be  very  nice  men  indeed, 
and  treat  me  more  like  a  son  than  any  thing  else.  We  have  a 
meeting  held  in  the  cabin  every  Sunday  afternoon,  and  there  is  no 
swearing  allowed  on  board."    The  residue  is  uninteresting. 

His  letter  to  the  Superintendent  is  written  in  a  handsome  strong 
hand,  and  is  well  expressed*  He  repeats  the  substance  of  his  let- 
ter to  his  grandmother,  and  then  says,  "I  feel  very  grateful  indeed 
for  the  kindness  which  you  shewed  me,  while  under  your  care  and 
instruction.  I  now  see  the  errors  of  my  former  conduct,  and  you 
may  rest  assured  that  I  have  commenced  a  new  beginning,  and  shall 
always  endeavor  to  behave  myself  with  all  the  propriety  and  deco- 
rum that  I  am  capable.  I  have  often  read  the  (printed)  letter  which 
you  handed  me  on  my  departure  from  the  House  of  Refuge,  and 
shall  endeavor  to  keep  in  mind  all  the  good  instructions  contained 
in  said  letter,"  &c. 

I  am  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  servant. 

There  are  two  classes  of  criminals  whom  it  is  difficult  to  convert 
or  save  from  the  error  of  their  ways.  These  are,  dissolute  girls, 
and  drunken  boys.  There  are  no  practices  of  which  corrupt  human 
nature  is  guilty,  that  so  certainly  carry  their  victims  to  destruction 
as  these:  It  seems  as  if  the  soul  had  become  tainted  with  so  deadly 
a  leprosy,  that  no  mortal  balm  could  cure  it.  Other  stains  the 
House  of  Refuge  has  washed  away,  and  often  in  cases  of  so  deep  a 
dye,  as  to  excite  the  highest  degree  of  astonishment  and  gratifica- 
tion; but  five  years  experience  furnishes  us  with  but  few  cases  of 
reformation  from  the  effects  of  these,  the  most  public  and  destruc- 
tive vices  of  civilized  life. 


199 

GIRLS. 

Catharine  D.  was  sent  to  the  House  of  Refuge  by  the  Police 
Magistrates,  before  she  was  9  years  old.  At  this  tender  age,  she 
had  already  been  convicted  of  stealing,  and  other  offences  and  was 
becoming  hardened  in  iniquity,  having  been  twice  confined  in 
Bridewell.  The  catalogue  of  her  misdeeds  is  too  long  for  minute 
relation,  and  it  is  not  intended  to  give  any  other  than  a  general  view 
of  each  case,  so  as  to  avoid  wearying  the  patience,  or  shocking  the 
delicacy  of  the  reader. 

In  the  Refuge,  the  most  strict  attention  was  paid  to  the  morals 
of  this  little  unfortunate:  we  say  unfortunate,  for  be  it  remembered 
that  the  parents  of  this  child  belong  to  that  dissipated  and  intem- 
perate class  of  beings,  whose  dwellings  are  the  abodes  of  misery 
and  crime.  The  discipline  of  the  House  was  so  happily  adapted  to 
the  temper  of  her  mind,  that  Catharine  soon  assumed  habits  of 
obedience,  industry  and  regularity,  and  after  a  few  months  residence 
in  the  House,  when  her  guilty  thoughts  began  to  be  displaced  by 
new  hopes  and  aspirations,  the  natural  sweetness  of  her  disposition 
and  her  moral  and  religious  feelings  became  so  apparent,  that  in 
the  language  of  the  superintendent,  "she  was  beloved  by  all  who 
became  acquainted  with  her." 

January  3,  1827,  Catharine  was  indentured  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  W., 
of  F.  In  answer  to  our  enquiries  about  her,  made  in  pursuance  of 
rules  of  the  establishment,  this  highly  respectable  and  pious  gen- 
tleman, under  date  of  July  13,  1829,  writes  as  follows.  "Iam 
happy  that  I  am.enabled  to  state  that  Mrs.  W.,  myself,  and  all  my 
family,  still  are,  as  they  always  have  been,  highly  pleased  with  the 
temper  of  her  mind  and  the  tenor  of  her  conduct.  Such  has  been 
and  still  is  our  pleasure  in  her,  that  she  is  in  my  family  as  one  of 
my  children."  The  letter  contains  answers  to  six  questions,  re- 
specting her  behavior,  character  and  education,  and  the  account 
given  of  her  is  such  as  a  good  parent  would  give  of  a  good  child, 
and  it  concludes  in  the  following  manner:  "She  speaks  with  ten- 
derness and  affection  of  the  House  of  Refuge.  She  inquires  in  the 
kindest  manner  concerning  the  Superintendent,  and  takes  deep  in- 
terest in  every  intelligence  from  that  institution.  Catharine  is  far 
superior  to  almost  all  the  hired  girls  in  her  situation.  She  is  very 
interesting  in  her  appearance  and  in  her  manners,  and  bids  fair  to 
grow  up  in  a  manner  which  shall  have  effaced  from  her  mind  and 
deportment  every  trace  of  her  origin.  May  God  reward  you  and 
the  honored  patrons  of  your  institution,  and  make  you  all  and  it 
an  extended  and  extending  blessing  to  your  day  and  generation." 

Before  the  reader  indulges  in  those  feelings  of  pleasure  and  sur- 
prise which  this  little  history  must  excite  in  every  christian  bosom, 
we  wish  to  inform  him  that  when  Catharine  came  into  the  Refuge, 
"  she  did  not  know  her  letters,"  and  her  conduct  was  leading  her 
to  "inevitable  destruction."  Now  her  moral  culture  is  quite  as 
perfect  as  is  given  to  children  of  the  best  families,  and  she  is  getting 
a  good  education. 

Sarah  A.  G.,  was  received  into  the  House  at  the  age  of  14.  Its 
discipline  and  instruction  saved  her.  A  letter  from  her  master 
speaks  of  her  in  terms  of  praise.  "I  have  never  discovered  in  her 
any  bad  habit;  she  is  industrious  and  honest,  and  devotes  all  her 


200 


leisure  time  to  her  studies,  the  principal  of  which  is  the  Bible,  &c.ft 
The  writer  promised  to  send  her  to  school  in  the  spring.  We  have 
no  doubt  this  was  done,  and  that  she  will  be  allowed  a  reasonable 
opportunity  for  mental  improvement. 

Margaret  J.,  sent  into  the  House  for  some  petty  crime,  at  the 
age  of  12,  and  was  thus  happily  snatched  from  the  ruinous  contact 
of  a  deeply  depraved  and  bad  example.  What  in  the  aberrations 
of  the  worst  of  Nature's  works,  can  be  so  shocking  and  baneful  as 
the  intentional  and  persevering  misconduct  of  a  mother. 

This  child  soon  fell  into  our  habits  of  regular  industry,  became 
fond  of  reading,  gained  the  matron's  confidence,  was  promoted  to 
the  class  of  honor,  and  never  betrayed  her  trust.  Her  attachment 
to  her  Bible  became  ardent,  and  her  knowledge  of  its  precepts  un- 
usual. This  induced  a  foreign  gentleman  of  distinction  to  make 
her  a  present  of  a  handsome  Bible.  Shortly  after  the  house  was 
visited  by  some  Indians  from  Canada.  She  became  acquainted 
with  their  religious  hopes,  and  joyfully  presented  her  new  Bible  to 
one  of  the  aborigines  to  be  given  to  his  wife.  Some  months  after, 
the  Indian  woman  was  taken  sick.  The  child's  Bible  was  her 
constant  companion;  she  would  not  part  with  it,  and  she  died  with 
it  in  her  arms.  In  a  subsequent  visit  to  New-York,  the  same  peo- 
ple made  much  inquiry  about  "that  beloved  little  girl  of  the  House 
of  Refuge." 

That  beloved  little  girl  is  growing  up  in  the  way  she  should  go, 
is  at  a  good  trade,  is  pious,  industrious,  and  happy;  and  writes  a 
creditable  letter  to  the  matron,  in  which  she  says,  "Oh,  if  I  had 
not  been  sent  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  where  would  I  have  been 
this  day.  My  dear  Miss  Goewey,  I  can  hardly  call  you  any  thing 
else  but  my  dear  mother,  I  thank  you  and  Miss  Weaver  for  all 
your  motherly  care  over  me.  I  never  can  pay  you  for  all,  but  I 
do  believe  that  my  Heavenly  Father  will." 

September^,  1827. 
M.  D.,  from  the  commissioners  aged  13  years.  Her  mother  has 
been  dead  seven  years.  She  has  been  to  six  places  of  service  in 
about  fourteen  months.  She  was  a  girl  of  talents,  resolute,  way- 
ward, and  apparently  bent  on  her  own  destruction.  Not  succeed- 
ing in  a  bold  attempt,  to  escape,  she  contrived  a  plan  to  set  the  fe- 
male house  on  fire,  which  was  detected  and  prevented.  This  led 
to  a  more  rigid  course  of  discipline,  which  together  with  the  in- 
struction of  the  House,  subdued  her  temper,  and  in  eighteen 
months  she  was  considered  fit  to  be  indentured.  She  shall  speak 
for  herself. 

Pennsylvania,  Feb.  22,  1829. 

"My  Dear  Father. — You  need  not  feel  uneasy  on  my  account, 
as  I  have  got  a  good  place.  I  like  my  situation  very  much,  as  the 
lady  I  live  with  is  very  kind  to  me.  I  want  to  know  if  my  little 
sister  M.,  has  got  a  good  place,  and  if  she  has  I  wish  her  to  stay  to 
it.  My  dear  father,  do  not  grieve  after  me,  my  time  will  soon  be 
expired,  when  I  hope  I  shall  be  a  comfort  to  you  in  your  old  age. 

Tell  my  sister  for  me,  to  try  and  be  a  good  girl,  not  to  be  saucy 
to  the  lady  she  lives  with;  to  do  all  she  can  to  please  her.  Tell 
her  she  must  pray  to  God  to  help  her,  and  he  will  hear  her  Drayers, 


201 


for  his  ear  is  ever  open  to  the  prayers  of  the  orphan.  Tell  her  she 
must  never  dare  to  take  that  which  does  not  belong  to  her." 

The  letter  contains  three  pages  of  pious  and  fervent  encourage- 
ment to  her  father,  and  admonition  to  her  sister. 

Her  letter  to  the  Matron,  dated  March  8,  is  written  in  a  similar 
strain. 

The  following  is  from  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  a  gentleman 
of  distinguished  reputation,  July  1,  1829. 

"Sarah  appears  to  be  a  kind  and  good  girl  as  yet,  and  gives  good 
satisfaction  thus  far :  she  is  kind  to  the  children,  and  they  are  fond 
of  her;  attends  Sunday  Schools,  and  her  whole  deportment  thus 
far  is  perfectly  satisfactory.  She  speaks  often  of  you,  (the  matron) 
and  appears  grateful  for  the  treatment  and  advice  she  received  at 
the  House  of  Refuge.  I  trust  the  instruction  she  has  been  favored 
with  in  your  institution,  will  not  be  lost  upon  her,  but  that  she  will 
become  a  useful  member  of  society,  and  prepared  for  that  kingdom 
where  there  shall  be  no  more  trial  or  sorrow." 

The  father  of  this  child  burst  a  blood  vessel,  and  upon  his  death 
her  mother  was  removed  to  the  Alms  House.  The  child  was 
thrown  upon  the  wide  world  at  the  age  of  ten  or  eleven,  and  fell 
into  the  common  course  of  idleness  and  petty  crime.  The  Refuge 
saved  her  from  total  ruin. 

December  23,  1828. 

E.  N.,  committed  by  the  Police,  aged  10  years.  Her  father  kept 
a  bad  house.  The  mother  employed  her  child  in  the  business  of 
begging  victuals  and  old  clothes,  while  she  remained  home  in  a 
state  of  intoxication. 

Some  of  the  suspicious  persons  who  frequented  her  father's 
house,  would  occasionally  go  out  begging  and  take  this  little  girl 
with  them:  this  was  a  cover. for  thievish  practices.  It  is  not  pos- 
sible to  conceive  a  story  of  more  sickening  depravity  than  this  would 
make,  if  related  in  plain  language. 

The  Superintendent  says,  "  when  this  interesting  girl  first  en- 
tered the  House,  she  was  as  black  and  as  dirty  as  a  chimney  sweep; 
her  muslin  was  the  color  of  the  earth,  it  being  all  the  garment  of 
the  kind  she  had. 

After  the  Matron  had  thoroughly  cleaned  her,  and  put  on  her  a 
clean  plain  dress,  she  excited  our  sympathy,  and  we  thanked  the 
Lord  that  he  had  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  benevolent  men,  to  get 
up  a  House  of  Refuge,  for  such  unfortunates.  The  child  having 
been  accustomed  to  live  in  degradation  and  filth,  and  now  begin- 
ning to  enjoy  the  sweets  of  regularity,  good  order  and  cleanliness, 
could  not  be  induced  to  say  that  she  would  like  to  return  home. 

Her  parents  finding  that  they  had  lost  a  valuable  member  of 
their  fraternity,  had  her  brought  before  the  Recorder  on  a  writ  of 
Habeas  Corpus.  The  judge  examined  the  case  with  much  atten- 
tion, interrogated  the  child,  discovered  that  she  preferred  the  Re- 
fuge to  her  father's  house,  seemed  pleased  with  her  clean  and  sweet 
appearance,  and  then  looked  with  disgust  at  the  dirty  heap  of 
clothes  in  which  she  had  come  to  the  Refuge  :  and  suddenly  ad- 
dressing the  lawyer  :  "  Sir,  said  he,  if  I  should  return  you  this  child, 
my  conscience  would  not  let  me  sleep  this  night!" 

The  child's  improvement  in  the  House  was  rapid,  and  she  soon 

26 


202 


became  fit  to  be  indentured.  The  gentleman  under  whose  roof  she 
leads  a  happy  and  an  innocent  life,  writes  as  follows : 

November  16,  1829. 
"It  gives  me  much  satisfaction  to  state  that  E's  conduct  and  dis- 
position have  been  such,  that  I  think  a  person  not  knowing  from 
whence  she  came,  would  be  induced  to  believe  her  almost  incapable 
of  committing  crime,  the  most  trivial  in  its  nature,  should  it  be 
placed  within  her  reach.  Her  disposition  is  very  mild  and  pleas- 
ing, her  willingness  to  do  as  directed,  seems  to  indicate  there  could 
have  been  no  pains  spared,  while  under  your  control  to  instil  upon 
her  mind  the  manner  of  conduct  that  should  govern  her  through 
life,"  &c. 

The  decision  of  the  Recorder,  has  probably  saved  this  child  from 
a  life  of  infamy  and  wretchedness. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  all  the  children  sent  from  the  House 
of  Refuge,  turn  out  as  well  as  those  alluded  to  in  the  preceding 
histories.  On  the  contrary,  our  previous  remarks  admit  that  we 
do  not  always  succeed  in  producing  reform :  but  though  we  have 
to  regret  occasional  failures,  they  are  not  of  a  character  to  arrest 
our  efforts,  or  impair  our  confidence  in  the  general  results  of  the 
system.  The  interesting  and  conclusive  cases  of  penitence  and 
reform,  which  we  have  related,  afford  us  ample  encouragement  to 
perseverance  in  this  good  work.  To  these,  many  other  cases  ex- 
hibiting instances  of  reformation  might  be  added.  Besides,  these 
failures,  though  comparatively  few  in  number,  and  of  no  great  im- 
portance as  it  regards  their  bad  example  to  the  inmates  of  the  House, 
may  in  some  instances  be  traced  to  the  unfitness  of  the  master  who 
has  been  intrusted  with  the  care  and  education  of  a  child.  Though 
great  caution  is  observed  in  the  selection  of  situations  for  our 
children,  it  is  not  possible  always  to  discover  the  true  character 
of  applicants,  notwithstanding  that  the  Indenturing  Committee, 
consisting  of  three  gentlemen,  devote  a  large  portion  of  their 
time,  with  unwearied  diligence,  to  this  responsible  and  laborious 
business. 

It  will  be  observed  in  one  of  the  histories  we  have  given,  that  a 
salutary  dread  of  returning  to  the  Refuge  was  felt  by  a  child. 
This  is  a  safe  and  advantageous  state  of  mind,  provided  it  is  accom- 
panied, as  in  this  instance  it  appears  to  have  been,  by  kind  and  res- 
pectful recollections  of  the  officers  of  the  House.  For  it  must 
not  be  forgotten,  that  the  House  of  Refuge  is  in  fact  a  prison  for 
children,  and  that  whilst  the  greatest  tenderness  is  due  to  their 
youth,  and  the  greatest  compassion  should  be  displayed  towards 
their  involuntary  errors,  no  such  relaxation  of  discipline  can  be 
permitted,  as  may  tend  to  call  off  their  minds  from  the  severer  du- 
ties of  life,  or  encourage  the  illusory  expectation  of  exemption  from 
wholesome  restraint,  and  from  inevitable  punishment  whenever  it 
is  deserved. 

Other  histories  shew  that  the  children  love  the  House  of  Refuge, 
for  the  good  it  has  done  them.  Any  more  happy  illustration  of  its 
merits,  cannot  be  desired  than  those  cases  display.  The  wish  of 
every  benevolent  mind,  should  therefore  be,  that  it  may  long  con- 
tinue to  be  a  blessing,  and  a  refuge  to  the  houseless  orphan,  and 
the  child  of  neglect,  of  bad  example,  and  of  crime. 


* 


203 


REPORT  OF  THE  LADIES'  COMMITTEE. 

To  the  Managers  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  the  Ladies'  Committee 
respectfully  Report — 

That,  since  their  last  Annual  Report,  the  Monthly  Meetings  of 
the  Committee  have  been  regularly  held,  besides  such  special  Meet- 
ings as  circumstances  appeared  to  require.  A  Sub-Committee  of 
their  number  have  visited  the  House  of  Refuge,  at  least,  once  in 
each  week  during  the  year.  Minutes  have  been  regularly  kept  by 
the  Committee  and  Sub-Committees,  a  summary  of  which  will  be 
laid  before  the  Managers,  and  to  this  summary,  they  refer  for  a 
more  detailed  account  of  their  proceedings. 

On  this  occasion  it  may  be  sufficient  to  remark,  that,  so  far  as 
opportunity  has  been  afforded,  the  present  Matron  appears  quali- 
fied to  discharge  the  arduous  duties  of  her  station,  with  credit  to 
herself,  and  benefit  to  the  Institution.  The  girls  continue  to  be 
fully  employed,  and  their  time  profitably  divided  between  the  usual 
School  exercises.  Family  devotions,  and  the  numerous  domestic 
duties  of  the  House,  such  as  baking,  washing,  making  and  mending 
their  own  and  the  boys'  clothes,  bedding,  &c.  And  in  each  of 
these  departments,  the  Committee  are  happy  to  say,  there  is  evi- 
dence of  improvements. 

The  Sub-Committees  have,  during  their  weekly  visits  to  the  Re- 
fuge, advised  with,  and  assisted  the  Matron  in  the  arrangement  of 
its  domestic  concerns,  and  have  not  been  unmindful  of  the  highly 
important  duty  of  endeavoring  to  instil  into  the  minds  of  the  girls, 
principles  of  piety  and  virtue,  and  excite  them  to  a  sense  of  the 
necessity  of  cultivating  habits  of  industry,  cleanliness  and  order; 
and  a  strict  attention  to  the  directions  of  the  Matron,  and  the  rules 
of  the  House.  These  efforts  have  not  in  every  instance  been 
crowned  with  that  success  which  the  Committee  could  desire ;  but 
the  exceptions  have  been  so  few,  that,  instead  of  diminishing,  they 
have  stimulated  to  renewed  and  increased  exertions. 

The  sympathies  of  the  Ladies'  Committee,  have  been  peculiarly 
and  strongly  elicited  on  behalf  of  those  girls  who  cannot  be  bound 
out,  in  consequence  of  having  been  sent  to  the  Refuge  when  nearly 
arrived  at  the  limited  age,  and  are  therefore  discharged  and  again 
exposed  to  temptation,  without  friends  or  the  honest  means  of 
immediate  support.  The  Committee  cannot  conceive  a  case  in  the 
"whole  range  of  human  destitution,"  that  presents  a  stronger 
claim  on  our  compassion,  than  a  penitent  female  thus  circumstan- 
ced. 

The  committee  are  aware  that  when  such  cases  have  occurred  in 
the  Refuge,  the  private  benevolence  of  individuals  connected  with 
the  Institution,  has  applied  at  least  a  partial  remedy;  but  they  res- 
pectfully suggest  whether  some  permanent  arrangement  cannot 
be  made  to  provide  this  interesting  class  of  female  delinquents  with 
the  means  of  support,  till  they  can  place  themselves  in  situations 
beyond  the  reach  of  their  former  associates.  Without  some  such 
provision,  there  is  reason  to  fear  that  many  on  whom  the  discipline 
of  the  House,  and  the  admonitions  received  within  its  walls,  had 
exerted  a  beneficial  influence,  may  become  so  disheartened  by  the 
hopelessness  of  their  condition,  as  to  yield  to  the  pressure  of  cir* 


» 


204 

cumstances,  and  again  resort  to  those  haunts  of  vice  from  which 
they  had  been  rescued. 

The  average  number  of  girls  in  the  House  of  Refuge  during  the 
past  year,  does  not  exceed  one  half  of  the  number  for  which  there 
are  accommodations.  Could  the  Committee  believe  that  this  re- 
sulted from  a  deficiency  of  suitable  objects,  it  would  indeed  be 
cause  of  thankful  acknowledgment ;  but  their  daily  walks  through 
the  city,  furnish  conclusive  evidence  that  this  is  not  the  fact,  for 
they  are  met  at  almost  every  corner  by  numbers  of  vagrant  female 
children,  whose  ragged  appearance  and  disorderly  conduct  shew 
that  they  are  destitute  of  Parents  or  Protectors,  or  what  is  even 
worse,  under  the  influence  of  such  as  urge  them  to  the  commission 
of  crime.  Deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  snatching  as 
many  as  possible  of  these  unfortunate  children  from  that  course  of 
life,  which  our  Records  abundantly  shew  they  are  persevering  in, 
the  Ladies'  Committee  earnestly  solicit  the  attention  of  the  Mana- 
gers to  the  subject.  They  will  not  permit  themselves  to  doubt  the 
existence  of  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  our  City  Authorities  to 
co-operate  and  lend  them  assistance  in  a  cause  like  this.  The 
Committee  need  scarcely  advert  to  the  fact,  that  applications  for 
girls  to  be  placed  in  respectable  families,  remote  from  large  towns 
or  cities,  are  much  more  numerous  than  the  means  of  supply. 
That  the  conditions  of  the  class  of  girls  referred  to,  would  be  im- 
proved by  the  change,  is  too  self-evident  to  admit  of  dispute :  and 
the  Committee  indulge  the  hope  that  the  period  is  not  remote  when 
the  existing  accommodations,  at  least,  shall  be  fully  occupied  by 
these  houseless  children  of  want. 

The  Committee  feel  bound,  before  closing  this  report,  thankfully 
to  acknowledge  the  goodness  of  the  Great  Disposer  of  Events,  in 
continuing  to  the  inmates  of  the  Refuge,  the  blessing  of  health. 

SARAH  C.  HAWXHURST,  Secretary,  pro  tern. 

12th  mo.  (December)  4th,  1829. 

WORK  DONE  BY  THE  BOYS. 

CANE  CHAIR  BOTTOM  MANUFACTORY. 

Cane  chair  bottoms,  750  dozen  plain  seats. 

•«  44      145  Curled  Maple  flush  back  seats, 

"  4t        41  doz.  raised  back,  solid  front,  curled  maple, 

"  "        59  plain  maple  solid  front  seats, 

«•  "        20  settee  seats, 

2025  pounds  of  cane,  (after  dressed)  from  the  Rattan. 

BRUSH  MANUFACTORY. 

3515  dozen  Shoe  Brushes. 
90  dozen  Flesh  Brushes. 

700  dozen  Hair  Brushes. 

300  dozen  Horse  Brushes. 

780  dozen  Cloth  Brushes. 

100  dozen  Plate  Brushes. 

186  dozen  Tooth  Brushes. 

120  dozen  Hat  Brushes. 
1030  dozen  Scrubbing  Brushes^ 

400  dozen  Horse  Brushes. 


205 


4500  pound  Bristles,  assorted  and  combed. 

1400  pound  Bristles  picked. 

1300  pound  Bristles  washed  and  bleached. 

200  pound  Whalebone  cleaned. 
1500  dozen  Shoe  Brushes  finished. 

300  dozen  Hair  Brushes  finished. 

200  dozen  Cloth  Brushes  finished. 

300  dozen  Horse  Brushes  finished. 

SHOE  SHOP. 

Cacks,  ot  Children's  Shoes,      -       -       -  2,034 
For  the  use  of  the  House,         -  350 
Besides  double  that  number  mended. 

carpenters'  shop. 

Soap  boxes,  for  Shipping       -  12,500 

Windsor      do.      -       -       -     '  -       -  1,550 

Large  brown  do.     -----  4,000 

Candle         do.   2,500 


20,550 


TAILORS  SHOP. 

By  the  girls,  250  Suits,  jacket  and  trowsers  for  winter  use. 

By  the  boys,  100  /  pa-rg  canvag!S  trowsers  for  summer. 
By  the  girls,  250  $  1 

By  the  boys,  150  Cloth  Hats  or  Caps  for  boys. 

DRUGS  PREPARED   FOR  APOTHECARIES. 

400  pounds  roots  cut  up. 
180  pounds  Gum  broken  up. 

CABINET  SHOP. 

500  Cradle  Bottoms,  for  willow  cradles. 
500  Wragon       do.  do.  do. 

800  pair  Cherry  Rockers. 
500  pair  pine  Rockers. 

1  dozen  Wash  Stands. 
3  dozen  Pine  Tables. 

10  dozen  Safes,  (wire) 
20  dozen  Wash  Boards. 
200  pair  small  Rockers,  for  toy  cradles, 
20  dozen  Spitting  Boxes. 

2  dozen  Knife  Boards. 
6  dozen  Paste  Boards. 

3  dozen  Wash  Benches. 

40  dozen  Bottoms  for  willow  chairs. 
40  dozen  Tables  for  do. 
12  dozen  Knife  Boxes. 
200  Segar  Boxes. 

4  dozen  Foot  Benches. 
6  dozen  Boot  Jacks. 

12  dozen  Step  Ladders. 
6  dozen  Clothes  Horses. 


206 


OTHER  WORK  DONE  BY  THE    BOYS  AND  GIRLS. 

Tilling  the  grounds ;  working  in  the  gardens.  All  the  cooking 
for  the  Male  House,  has  been  done  by  t-ie  boys,  except  the  baking ; 
that  is  done  by  the  girls.  The  boys  whitewash  and  cleanse  their 
own  apartments  ;  mend  the  greater  part  of  their  own  clothes,  save 
their  shirts  and  stockings.  The  girls  make  and  mend  all  the  shirts; 
knit  a  part,  and  mend  all  the  stockings.  The  girls  do  all  the 
washing  for  the  whole  establishment,  which  is  said  to  be  eight 
hundred  pieces  per  week.  The  girls  make  and  mend  all  their  own 
clothes,  and  in  some  instances,  they  have  become  quite  decent 
mantuamakers  in  making  their  plain  garments. 

,  i fin 

STATEMENTS. 

Subjects. 

There  were  in  the  house  when  the  last  report  was  made,  161 
Of  those  previously  disposed  of,  there  have  been  returned  26 


Former  escape,  returned,       ------  1 

Received  during  the  past  year       -       -       -       -       -  154 

342 

Of  whom  there  have  been  indentured     -  148 

Escapes  -  8 

Returned  to  friends       ------  12 

Returned  to  the  Aims-House         -  3 
Of  age         -       --       --       --       -  5 

Now  in  the  House        -       -       -       -       -  -166 

 342 


Of  the  26  returned,  7  came  to  the  House  for  protection,  having 
been  unfortunately  situated.  One  was  a  little  girl  7  years  of  age, 
and  proved  too  small  for  the  purposes  for  which  she  was  wanted. 
Two  in  consequence  of  indisposition. 

The  number  of  subjects  received  into  the  House  of  Re- 
fuge since  our  last  report  as  above  -  -  -  -  154 
Committed  by  the  following  authorities,  viz : 
Commissioners  76 
Police  33 
New- York  Sessions  -  16 
Brooklyn  Sessions  -  6 
Albany  Sessions  -  -  11 
Monroe  Sessions  4 
Washington  County  Sessions  2 
Green  County  Sessions  -  1 
Rensselaer  County  Sessions  1 
Tompkins  co.  Oyer  and  Terminer  1 
Orange  County  Sessions  1 
Westchester  Sessions  -  1 
Dutchess  County  Sessions  1 

 154 

Of  the  above  number,  eighty-five  are  foreigners,  or  the  chil- 
dren of  foreigners,  and  the  remaining  sixty-nine  are  of  American 
parentage. 


207 


COUNTRIES  OF  FOREIGNERS,  OR  CHILDREN  OF  FOREIGNERS. 

Ireland  47,  Scotland  2,  England  24,  France  1,  Spain  1,  Germany 
4,  Wales  1,  Italy  1. 

STATES  OF  AMERICA  PARENTS  OR  CHILDREN  OF  DITTO. 

Massachusetts  2,  Connecticut  2,  New-York  54,  New-Jersey  9, 
Pennsylvania  1,  Maryland  1. 


The  ages  of  the  Children  received  into  the  Refuge  since  it  was 
opened  on  1st  January,  1825,  to  1st  January,  1830. 

BOYS. 


Years  of 

age.  -  - 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

1825 

to  1826, 

1 

1 

2 

4 

5 

6 

6 

13 

14 

7 

5 

1 

1 

to  1827, 

1 

4 

7 

4 

6 

9 

20 

25 

10 

11 

5 

9 

3 

to  1828, 

4 

8 

13 

14 

13 

16 

11 

12 

8 

4 

1 

to  1829, 

3 

5 

11 

12 

18 

13 

32 

12 

11 

5 

to  1830, 

3 

10 

7 

17 

6 

25 

23 

10 

5 

1 

2 

1 

GIRLS. 


18?5 

to  1826, 

1 

1 

2 

4 

3 

4 

to  1827, 

3 

2 

4 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

to  1828, 

1 

1 

4 

5 

7 

6 

5 

9 

3 

to  1829, 

3 

3 

1 

3 

7 

10 

3 

5 

5 

3 

1 

to  1830, 

2 

4 

2 

4 

4 

5 

5 

10 

4 

1 

1 

Classification  of  the  Children  received  into  the  House  of  Refuge 
since  it  was  opened  on  1st  January,  1825,  to  1st  January,  1830, 
in  literary  improvement. 

BOYS.  GIRLS. 


Class,  -  - 

1 

•2|  3 

4| 

5 

6| 

*) 

8 

9  1 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

from  1825 

1  1 

to  1826, 

6 

5 

24 

2  16 

10 

1 

1 

3 

6 

5 

1 

to  1827, 

10 

9 

13 

15  19 

10 

13 

21 

4 1 

6 

5 

S 

5 

2 

4 

3 

1 

to  1828, 

9 

11 

9 

7 

12 

8 

25 

19 

4  j 

3 

5 

3 

4 

6 

3 

17 

to  1829, 

10 

10 

12 

7 

7 

8 

38 

26 

4  1 

5 

5 

7 

4 

2 

5!  3 

8 

4 

to  1830, 

6 

10 

20 

10 

9 

13|20 

16 

6  1 

6 

3 

5 

5 

7 

1 

6 

7 

1 

SCHOOL  REPORT. 

The  School  was  re-organized  1st  January,  1829. 
The  following  Tables  are  designed  to  show  the  improvement  of 
the  children,  for  the  past  year,  and  embrace  as  well  those  that  were 
in  the  House  at  the  period  of  re-organization,  as  those  received  du- 
ring the  past  year. 

Of  those  who  entered  the  following  reading  classes,  there  have 
been  promoted  from  the 

1st  to  the  2d,    3d,    4th,    5th,    Gth,    7th,    8th,  9th, 


3 

4 

3 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

2d 

8 

8 

4 

1 

1 

0 

0 

3d 

14 

8 

10 

2 

0 

0 

4th 

16 

9 

8 

0 

0 

5  th 

16 

8 

0 

0 

6  th 

16 

5 

0 

7th 

40 

4 

8th 

28 

208 


Of  those  who  entered  the  Arithmetic  classes,  there  have  been 
promoted  from  the 

Combination,  1st  to  the  2d,  3d,  4th,  5th,    6th,    7th,    8th,  9th 

20    12    12      2       0       0       0  0 
Addition,       2d       -       -    27    24     4       0       0       0  0 
Subtraction,  3d       -       --   16      6  0000 
Multiplicat'n,4th      ...         20       4       0       0  0 
Division,        5th      -       --       --  12  000 

Comp.  Rules, 6th      -       --       --  -920 

Reduction,  7th  -  •  -  5  3 
Rl.  of  Three,  8th  5 

In  the  ninth  class  there  are  twenty-nine  children*  who  read  His- 
tory and  study  Geography. 

Fifty-two  write  on  paper;  114  write  on  slates. 

"With  this  exhibit  of  the  improvement  of  the  children,  the  teach- 
er would  remark,  that  the  regular  and  stated  employment  of  the 
children,  eight  hours  per  day,  does  not  appear  in  any  wise  to  mili- 
tate against  as  successful  a  prosecution  of  their  studies  during  the 
time  allotted  them,  as  is  observed  in  our  Public  Schools. 

The  Sabbath  School  is  also  under  the  sole  care  of  the  teacher, 
and  it  is  gratifying  to  say,  the  attention  given  to  the  reading  and 
searching  the  Holy  Scriptures,  affords  reason  to  hope,  that  many 
of  our  children  will  hereafter  (as  many  already  have)  date  their 
acquaintance  with  that  "  salvation"  which  is  no  where  taught  save 
in  the  "  lively  oracles,"  to  Sabbath  School  instruction  received  in 
the  House  of  Refuge. 

It  appears  due  in  this  place  to  advert,  with  thankfulness,  to  the 
very  liberal  donations  which  have  been  made  from  time  to  time,  by 
the  Young  Men's  Bible  Society  of  New-York,  Auxiliary  to  the 
American  Bible  Society ;  nor  should  the  monthly  visits  of  the 
friends  of  Sabbath  Schools,  who  are  careful  to  present  us  with 
their  monthly  rewards,  for  the  encouragement  of  such  children  as 
are  diligent  in  searching  the  Scriptures,  be  forgotten. 

The  number  of  children  received  into  the  Refuge,  since  it  was 
opened,  1st  January,  1825,  to  1st  January,  1830,  that  have  been  in 
places  of  confinement,  viz  :  In  Bridewell,  Prisons,  Penitentiaries, 
&c.  &c,  and  the  length  of  time  they  were  confined,  before  being 
sent  to  the  Refuge. 

Bridewell. — 47  have  been  in  once,  23  twice,  11  three  times,  3 
four  times,  5  five  times,  and  1  ten  times. 

Penitentiary. — 13  have  been  in  six  months,  3  twelve  months, 
4  eighteen  months,  1  thirty  months,  2  thirty-six  months. 

State  Prison. — 1. 

Character  of  the  Parents  of  Children  received  into  the  Refuge. 

Parents  been  in  Bridewell,  25  ;  Penitentiary,  6  ;  State's  Prison, 
2;  Intemperate,  401  ;  Houses  of  111  Fame,  9;  Parents  allow  chil- 
dren to  steal,  8  ;  Parents  receiving  the  avails  of  stealing,  8. 


•  This  exhibits  the  state  of  the  schools,  male  and  female. 


209 


Statement  of  the  ages  of  the  Children  now  in  the  House  of 
Refuge,  up  to  31st  December,  1829. 

Boys. — 1  eight  years,  2  nine,  6  ten,  14  eleven,  16  twelve,  19 
thirteen,  25  fourteen,  15  fifteen,  21  sixteen,  6  seventeen,  3  eighteen. 

Girls. — 1  eight  years,  2  nine,  4  eleven,  1  twelve,  6  thirteen,  7 
fourteen,  8  fifteen,  5  sixteen,  4  seventeen. 

Since  the  opening  of  the  House  there  have  been  received,  690. 
Of  whom  there  have  been  indentured, 
Boys, 
Girls, 

Of  the  above  there  have  returned, 

Returned  to  friends,  Boys, 
Girls, 

Returned  to  Commissioners,  Boys,  - 

Girls,  » 

Of  Age,  Boys,  - 
Girls,  - 

Deceased,  Boys,  - 
Sea  Service,  Boys,  ... 
Escaped  permanently,  Boys, 
J  Girls, 

Now  in  the  House,  Boys, 
Girls, 


27 


210 


from  1 829 
to  1830. 

from  1828 
to  1829. 

from  1 827 
to  1828. 

from  1826 
to  1827. 

c 
so 

09 

from  1825 

YEAR. 

Ci 
CO 

&■ 
o» 

CO 

o 

co 

C3 

Farmer. 

CT> 

to 

Shoe  Maker. 

ejt 

♦o 

to 

Blacksmith. 

h* 

to 

Chair  Maker. 

w                                |  Brush  Maker. 

CD 

ro 

Ml 

Tailor. 

to 

4* 

w 

Hatter. 

Potter. 

— 

Silversmith. 

Carver. 

tO 

to 

I*. 

Tinman. 

|  Pump  and  Block  Maker. 

Brass  Founder. 

to 

to 

H< 

Tanner  and  Currier. 

JO 

Wheelwright. 

Carpenter. 

Cabinet  Maker. 

Printer. 

IO 

Comb  Maker. 

to 

j  Miller. 

|  Baker. 

to 

to 

Paper  Maker. 

Boat  Builder. 

M 

Glass  Blower. 

Mason. 

to 

Sugar  Mak  r. 

to 

Cloth  Manutactory. 

to 

CO 

Returned  to  Parents. 

To  Commissioners. 

Of  Age. 

CO 

to 

K 

Sea  Service. 

CO 

til 

W  haling. 

Stocking  Weaver. 

Deceased. 

O 

'eo 
SO 

to 
CD 

o 

c 

3                *  -/ 

I 

1  *  1 

CO 

5 


211 


TO  WHAT  TRADE  OR  BUSINESS — GIRLS  INDENTURED. 


"3 

r>  a 

so 

YF  A  T?  ft 

Domestic. 

Milliner. 

Tailoress. 

Returned  t< 
Parents  ai 
Friends. 

To  Comm 
sioners. 

Of  Age. 

J.  Olai. 

fn  i  m   1  ft"?  -\ 

to  1826. 

4 

1 

1 

6 

from  1826 

to  1827. 

8 

1 

3 

12 

from  1827 

to  1828. 

20 

1 

3 

8 

6 

38 

from  1828 

to  1829. 

34 

1 

1 

8 

1 

3 

48 

from  1829 

to  1830. 

23 

8 

3 

5 

37 

141 


IN  WHAT  STATES  INDENTURED. 


Boys,  Girls. 


XI 

1 

■~ 
o 

Lieut. 

rsey. 

.2 

'2 

S3 
> 

to 
3 

-3 

S 

.  I 

12 

Lieut. 

rsey. 

vania 

[« 

>* 

0) 

i 

'o 

a? 

w-Yc 

w 

a> 

>> 

l/J 

.  1 

YEARS. 

1 

a 

CO 

to 

— 

O 

Z 

o 

as 
GLi 

IS 

o 

S3 

£ 

Q 

1 

— 

C  ! 

from  1825 

to  1826. 

3 

3 

1 

from  1826 

to  1827. 

13 

0 

2 

8 

from  1827 

to  1828. 

36 

1 

8 

1 

16 

2 

2 

1 

from  1828 

to  1829. 

44 

11 

8 

2 

14 

26 

3 

o 

1 

3 

from  1829 

1 

to  1830. 

71 

21 

7 

4 

1  2 

1 

l 

1  2 

13 

4 

2 

> 

212 


SUMMARY. 


Inden- 

Esca- 

Returned 

Returned 

Of 

tured. 

ped. 

to  friends 

to  A.  H. 

age. 

1829. 

January, 

3 

_ 





February, 

7 

1 

1 

March, 

10 

1 

April, 

19 

2 

1 

_ 

1 

May, 

14 

- 

- 

- 

1 

June, 

19 

2 

1 

July, 

17 

2 

1 

August, 

13 

1 

September, 

9 

1 

1 

October, 

9 

2 

November, 

17 

1 

3 

2 

December, 

11 

2 

1 

148 

1  8 

I  12 

3 

5  1 

A  table  showing  the  weekly  report  of  the  number  of  children  in  the 
House,  with  the  average  number,  for  the  year  1829. 


DATE. 

1 829.  |  boys 

girls 

total 

|  DATE. 

1829.|boys|giris|total 

Januaiy, 

6 

J  3  J 

34 

105 

J  uiy, 

7 

139 

33 

172 

a 

13 

133 

35 

168 

« 

14 

144 

35 

179 

a 

20 

135 

36 

171 

tt 

21 

138 

37 

173 

it 

27 

136 

36 

172 

a 

28 

135 

36 

171 

February, 

3 

138 

35 

173 

August, 

4 

136 

36 

172 

a 

10 

139 

36 

175 

tt 

11 

138 

39 

177 

tt 

17 

139 

36 

175 

tt 

18 

137 

41 

178 

tt 

24 

141 

36 

177 

ii 

25 

139 

41 

180 

Marchr 

3 

141 

35 

176 

September, 

1 

137 

41 

178 

it 

10 

143 

34 

177 

k 

8 

136 

42 

178 

a 

17 

145 

35 

180 

a 

15 

134 

41 

175 

a 

24 

148 

38 

186 

a 

22 

135 

40 

175 

it 

31 

144 

37 

181 

a 

29 

135 

39 

174 

April, 

7 

137 

36 

173 

October, 

6 

139 

38 

177 

tt 

14 

142 

38 

180 

tt 

13 

140 

36 

176 

tt 

21 

138 

39 

177 

ti 

20 

139 

36 

175 

n 

28 

141 

39 

180 

u 

27 

140 

37 

177 

May, 

5 

136 

36 

172 

November, 

3 

138 

37 

175 

n 

12 

131 

37 

168 

a 

10 

140 

40 

180 

a 

19 

130 

37 

167 

(• 

17 

134 

40 

174 

U 

26 

137 

37 

174 

tt 

24 

127 

38 

165 

June, 

2 

138 

37 

175 

December, 

1 

134 

37 

171 

(i 

9 

140 

34 

174 

it 

8 

135 

36 

171 

a 

16 

133 

32 

165 

a 

15 

130 

36 

166 

a 

2S 

139 

33 

172 

a 

22 

128 

33 

166 

N 

30 

134 

32 

106 

it 

29 

129 

36  1 

165 

*  note  1 — Upon  Tax  on  Tavern  Licences,  and  Theatres. 

It  will  be  noticed  in  the  preceding  statistics,  how  large  a  pro- 
portion of  the  Parents  of  children  sent  to  the  Refuge,  are  intem- 
perate :  more  than  one  half  of  the  whole  number:  viz.  of  690  chil- 
dren received,  401  of  their  parents  drink  ardent  spirits  to  excess. 
The  examination  and  histories  of  the  children,  furnish  the  melan- 
choly fact,  that  upwards  of  150  children  of  both  sexes,  commenced 
stealing,  and  other  vices,  for  the  purpose  of  being  furnished  with 
the  means  to  frequent  Theatres,  and  to  obtain  Rum. — There  are 
now  two  children  in  the  Refuge,  (of  the  ages  of  12  and  14  years,) 
who  were  previous  to  being  sent  there,  in  the  daily  practice  of 
drinking  from  8  to  12  glasses  of  rum  or  whiskey,  and  one  of  them 
has  drunk  a  quart  of  ardent  spirits  in  a  day,  when  they  were  suc- 
cessful in  pilfering  property,  which  could  be  exchanged  for  it,  or 
which  they  could  sell  for  the  value  of  20  to  30  cents. 

t  note  2 — In  relation  to  the  balance  of  Funds  on  hand. 

The  Building  at  the  Refuge,  appropriated  for  the  Boys,  has  128 
Dormitories,  or  sleeping  rooms.  It  will  be  noticed  in  the  "Weekly 
Report  of  the  number  of  boys  in  the  House,"  that  a  larger  num- 
ber has  constantly  been  in  the  Institution  during  the  past  year, 
than  could  be  accomodated  with  separate  sleeping  cells,  (an  object 
very  important  in  the  system  of  Reformation,)  and  that  from  6  to 
20  of  the  smaller  Boys,  have  been  compelled  to  sleep  upon  the 
floors  of  the  School-hall,  (for  the  want  of  additional  accommoda- 
tions,) which  is  very  unsafe,  inconvenient  and  unhealthy.  At  sev- 
eral periods,  during  the  past  year,  the  managers  were  obliged 
(reluctantly)  to  notify  the  police  and  commissioners  of  the  Alms 
House,  to  withhold  sending  Boys  to  the  Refuge,  not  having  accom- 
modations for  them.  The  interest  of  the  Institution  requires  an 
additional  building,  for  sleeping  apartments,  an  eating  room,  and 
bake  house.  And  the  managers  have  authorised  their  Acting  Com- 
mittee to  contract  for  the  erection  of  a  building,  to  connect  the  two 
present  houses,  which  will  furnish  accomodations  for  100  more 
Boys.  The  Building  will  probably  be  ready  to  be  occupied  by  the 
1st  of  May  next,  and  will  cost,  furnished,  (from  estimates  received) 
about  8000  Dollars :  which  will  absorb  all  the  funds  now  on  hand, 
and  the  balance  will  have  to  be  paid  from  the  receipts  of  the 
year  1830. 


215 


Vice  Presidents. 


Officers  of  the  Society* 

CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President. 
STEPHEN  ALLEN,  ^ 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 
HENRY  I.  WYCKOFF, 
JAMES  LOYETT, 
PETER  SHARPE, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS,  Treasurer. 
FREDERICK  SHELDON,  Secretary. 
JOHN  STEARNS,  M.  D.   ?  m    .  .  ,  « 

ANSEL  W.  IYES,  M.  D.    J  Physicians  and  Surgeons.  , 

House  of  Refuge. 

NATHANIEL  C.  HART,  Superintendent. 
RICHARD  WYMOND,  Assistant  Superintendent. 
REBECCA  ORAM,  Matron. 
SARAH  ANN  ORAM,  Assistant  Matron. 
DAYID  TERRY,  Jim.  Teacher. 

Indenturing-  Committee. 

ROBERT  C.  CORNELL, 
NATHANIEL  RICHARDS, 
JAMES  LOVETT. 

Acting'  Committee. 

WILLIAM  \V.  FOX, 
MYNDERT  VAN  SCHAICK, 
RUFUS  L.  LORD, 
JOHN  HUNTER, 
ROBERT  D.  WEEKS, 
FREDERICK  A.  TRACY, 
JACOB  HARVEY. 

Managers, 

Stephen  Allen,      Ansel  W.  Ives,       John  Stearns, 
Heman  Averill,      James  Lovett,         M.  Van  Schaick, 
Arthur  Burtis,       Rufus  L.  Lord,       Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 
C.  D.  Colden,  William  F.  Mott,  John  W.  Wyman, 

Robert  C.  Cornell,Hugh  Maxwell,       Samuel  Wood, 
Cornelius  Dubois,   Dennis  M'Carthy,   Russel  H.  Nevins, 
William  W.  Fox,    Ralph  Olmsted,       J.  I.  Roosevelt,  Jun, 
John  Griscom,         Nath'l  Richards,     Frederick  A.  Tracy, 
John  Hunter,          Fred'k  Sheldon,      Robert  D.  Weeks, 
John  E.  Hyde,         Peter  Sharpe,        William  L.  Stone. 
Jacob  Harvey, 

Ladies'  Committee. 

Rebecca  M'Comb,  Isabella  Buloid, 

Sophia  Wyckoff,  Phebe  Mott, 

Ann  Warner,  Charlotte  L.  Fox, 

Deborah  L.  Embree,  Sarah  C.  Hawxhurst, 

Almy  Cornell,  Maria  L.  Hyde, 

Margaret  Beers,  Martha  Willis, 

Ann  L.  Mott,  Esther  Seymour. 


SIXTH  ANNUAL*  REPORT,  &c# 
1831. 

The  Managers  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  proceed  to 
lay  before  the  "  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juve- 
nile Delinquents,"  the  Sixth  Annual  Statement  of 
the  Institution  committed  to  their  charge.  It  would 
be  an  easy  task  for  the  Managers,  at  the  present 
time,  to  extend  their  Report  by  a  renewed,  or  an  en- 
larged exposition  of  the  nature  and  importance,  of 
the  system  of  Juvenile  Reform,  which  has  now  been 
steadily  prosecuted  by  them,  throughout  a  period  of 
six  years.  But,  so  fully  have  these  points  been  illus- 
trated, by  the  early  Reports  and  publications  of  the 
Society,  and  so  distinctly  were  they  recapitulated  in 
the  last  Annual  Report,  that  it  is  deemed  to  be  alto- 
gether inexpedient,  at  the  present  time,  to  occupy 
the  attention  of  the  Society,  or  the  public,  with  a  rep- 
etition of  these  arguments.  The  minds  of  all  those 
of  our  citizens,  who  have  taken  the  trouble  to  read 
our  Reports,  and  to  examine,  deliberately,  the  ques- 
tion of  a  Juvenile  Penitentiary,  distinct  from  that  of 
adults,  and  governed  in  conformity  to  the  clear  dis- 
tinctions which  separate  the  two  classes  of  public 
offenders,  will,  we  confidently  believe,  unite  with  one 
voice,  in  the  importance  of  such  a  distinction.  If 
there  are  any  of  our  fellow  citizens,  whose  judgment 
and  character,  claim  for  them  an  influence  in  the 
community,  who  have  declined  their  assent,  to  the 
value  of  such  an  institution  as  ours,  we  venture  to  be- 
lieve, that  they  are  among  those  who  have  never  vis- 
ited our  establishment,  and  examined  the  history  of 
its  inmates. 

It  is  no  small  satisfaction  to  the  Managers,  to  be 
able  to  say,  that  the  experience  they  have  gained,  in 
the  knowledge  of  juvenile  crime,  and  the  causes 
which  lead  to  it,  have  greatly  tended  to  increase 
their  convictions,  of  the  humanity  and  necessity  of 
such  a  charity. 


217 


They  3re  not  aware,  that  any  of  their  anticipations 
have  proved  too  sanguine — that  any  of  those  expec- 
tations, which,  prior  to  the  foundation  of  the  Refuge, 
rested  chiefly  upon  theoretic  views,  have  been  disap- 
pointed or  defeated.  There  was  nothing  in  the 
scheme,  which  suggested  such  a  mode  of  relief,  for 
some  of  the  most  alarming  evils,  which  have  proved 
to  be  of  an  impracticable  nature. 

The  incomparably  greater  influence  of  moral  and 
religious  treatment,  over  the  minds  and  habits  of  the 
young,  than  in  the  case  of  adult  criminals,  has  been 
amply  confirmed.  The  prospect  of  being  able  to 
rescue  hundreds  of  children  and  youth,  of  the  finest 
natural  endowments,  from  almost  inevitable  ruin,  has 
been  fully  realised.  The  possibility  of  inculcating  a 
love  of  literary  improvement,  and  habits  of  industry 
and  honesty,  upon  the  idle  and  profligate,  has  been 
well  established.  The  readiness  with  which  even 
young  boys  can  be  taught  mechanic  arts,  has  been 
demonstrated  in  our  work  shops.  The  advantage  of 
appropriating  from  two  to  four  hours  per  day,  to  liter- 
ary instruction,  has  been  manifest  by  the  progress  in 
spelling,  reading,  and  writing,  of  many  of  the  boys, 
who  otherwise  would  have  remained  destitute  of  this 
knowledge,  throughout  their  lives.  The  efficacy  of 
religious  instruction  in  meliorating  the  character, 
and  changing  the  dispositions,  of  some  of  the  most 
abandoned  youth,  has  most  clearly  appeared,  by  their 
good  conduct  after  leaving  the  Refuge,  and  by  their 
grateful  acknowledgements,  that  it  had  been  to  them, 
as  an  ark  of  safety,  and  a  rescue  from  destruction. 
The  short  history  of  our  establishment,  has  proved, 
that  it  is  possible  to  convert  juvenile  thieves  and  va- 
grants, gamblers,  and  pick-pockets,  the  most  profane 
and  abandoned,  into  honest  farmers,  good  sailors, 
ingenious  and  faithful  mechanics.  It  has  also  proved, 
that  a  House  of  Refuge,  while  it  effects  these  sal- 
utary changes  in  the  character  of  its  subjects,  is  nev- 
ertheless, a  house  of  improvement.  It  has  thus 
gained  for  itself,  a  name  in  the  community,  well  known 
throughout  the  various  ranks  of  juvenile  depravity. 
Its  name  imposes  a  wholesome  terror  upon  disobedi- 
ent and  vicious  youth ;  and  it  appears  evident,  to  the 

28 


218 


managers,  from  the  small  number  of  commitments 
which  they  now  receive  from  the  city  police,  and  the 
Court  of  Sessions,  compared  with  those  of  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  Alms  House,  that  the  influence  of 
the  Refuge,  is  highly  auspicious  to  the  peace  of  the 
city,  and  the  security  of  our  dwellings.  It  is  an  in- 
stitution also,  which  with  other  concommitant  cir- 
cumstances, enables  its  managers  to  trace  to  their 
earliest  effects,  the  causes  of  those  crimes,  which  in 
their  punishment,  occasion  to  the  municipal  and  State 
governments,  so  heavy  an  expense  of  time,  and  labor, 
and  taxation  ;  and  it  must  be,  by  a  judicious  attention 
to  facts,  thus  developed,  that  the  criminal  laws  of  a 
country,  can  be  made  to  approximate  the  most  nearly 
to  a  perfect  system  of  prevention  and  cure.  The 
Managers  therefore,  beg  leave  to  invite  the  attention 
of  the  Society,  as  opportunities  occur,  to  the  record 
of  cases  on  the  books  of  the  Refuge,  a  number  which 
have  been  printed  in  the  Annual  Reports. 

They  would  earnestly  invite  all  respectable  citi- 
zens, who  entertain  doubts  of  the  value  of  this  insti- 
tution, to  visit  the  Refuge, — to  witness,  on  working 
days,  the  activity  and  ingenuity  of  the  young  mechan- 
ics— the  order  and  economy  of  the  table — the  good  con- 
dition of  the  School,  and,  on  the  Sabbath,  the  de- 
cency and  devotion  of  the  Chapel;  and  then  seriously 
to  inquire,  whether  it  is  possible,  by  any  other  mode, 
to  lay  the  needful  restraint  upon  the  vicious  propen- 
sities of  young  criminals, — of  children,  corrupted  or 
abandoned  by  their  parents, — to  reform  their  habits, 
and  to  train  them  to  usefulness  and  respectability. 

So  obvious  is  the  necessity,  and  so  palpable  the 
benefits  of  a  reformatory  for  Juvenile  delinquents,  in 
every  populous  city.  It  is  well  known,  that  the  prin- 
ciples upon  which  our  House  of  Refuge  is  conducted, 
have  been  approved  in  all  parts  of  the  Union,  and 
that  similar  establishments  are  now  in  operation  in 
Boston  and  Philadelphia,  and  that  humane  individ- 
uals in  Baltimore,  have  taken  some  steps  for  the 
erection  of  one  in  that  city. 

Since  the  last  Annual  Report,  the  Managers  have 
completed  an  additional  building  of  stone,  120  feet  by 
38,  and  three  stories  high,  which,  besides  other  im- 


219 


portant  accommodations,  affords  138  additional  dor- 
mitories; and  being  constructed  with  a  view  to  greater 
security  than  those  previously  in  use,  they  are  much 
better  adapted  to  the  nightly  confinements  of  older 
and  larger  boys,  and  will  thereby  supply  a  want,  which 
has  long  been  felt. 

The  Managers  cannot  well  avoid  again  calling  the 
attention  of  those  who  may  favor  this  Report  with  a 
perusal,  to  the  two  most  fertile  sources  of  juvenile 
profligacy  and  crime — the  Theatres  and  Grog  Shops. 
Very  few  are  the  instances  on  their  books,  which  do 
not  go  to  demonstrate,  that  the  earliest  departure  from 
honesty  and  filial  duty,  is  immediately  connected  with, 
if  it  does  not  result  from,  the  allurements  of  those  two 
capital  sources  of  "public  amusements."  They  are 
emphatically,  the  Scylla  and  Charybdis  of  the  current 
of  life,  to  the  youth  of  this  metropolis.  Could  we  ab- 
stract from  the  various  incentives  to  evil  which  abound 
in  the  city,  the  vicious  excitement  produced  by  these 
places  of  resort;  we  know  of  nothing,  which  could  be 
found  as  a  substitute,  that  would  be  productive  of  half 
the  amount  of  crime  and  misery  which  so  evidently 
result  from  them. 

In  the  preceding  remarks,  we  have  endeavored  to 
give  a  brief  general  view  of  the  prosperous  condition, 
and  the  moral  effects  of  the  Institution.  But  there 
are  some  points,  respecting  which,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  descend  more  into  particulars. 

The  cause  of  elementary  instruction,  has  been  pros- 
ecuted as  usual,  in  both  departments  of  the  Refuge, 
and  with  flattering  success.  The  Sunday  schools 
have  likewise  been  continued,  and,  it  is  believed,  with 
happy  results.  The  course  of  religious  and  biblical 
instruction,  which  it  is  the  primary  object  of  Sunday 
schools  to  impart,  may  be  counted  first  among  the 
means  of  effecting  a  reformation  of  vicious  youth. 
Among  numbers  of  the  inmates,  there  have  been  de- 
cided evidences,  not  only  of  outward  reformation,  but 
of  sincere  piety.  And  it  is  hoped  that  numerous 
others,  who  do  not  afford  a  confident  hope  of  such  a 
change,  previously  to  their  departure  from  the  Refuge, 
will  carry  thence  many  precious  lessons  from  the 
scriptures,  which  will  be  freshly  remembered,  and 


220 


productive  of  much  good,  in  after  years.  In  aid  of 
the  religious  instruction  given,  the  Managers  have  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  ofdonations  of  Bibles,  from 
the  Young  Men's  Bible  Society.  It  would  be  a  work 
of  supererogation,  at  this  day,  to  urge  the  necessity  of 
continuing  these  schools,  and  rendering  them  as  in- 
teresting and  effective  as  possible.  But  were  it  other- 
wise, and  should  we  attempt  to  illustrate  their  utility 
and  importance,  and  to  show  the  close  affinity  existing 
between  vice  and  crime,  it  would  only  be  necessary 
for  the  Managers  to  state,  that  of  the  commitments 
during  the  last  year,  of  boys  alone,  fifty-five  could  not 
read  a  syllable.  Fifteen  of  this  number  knew  not  a 
letter  of  the  alphabet.  The  ages  of  these  latter,  were 
from  eight  to  sixteen — averaging  eleven  and  a  half 
years.  The  remaining  forty  were  from  ten  to  sixteen 
years  of  age,  averaging  twelve  and  a  half. 

In  speaking  of  the  House  of  Refuge  in  his  late  Mes- 
sage to  the  Legislature,  His  Excellency  the  Governor 
remarks: — "The  funds  provided  by  the  Government, 
are  ample  for  all  the  purposes  of  the  institution." 
This  declaration  of  the  Chief  Magistrate,  whose  views 
and  feelings  are  decidedly  in  favor  of  the  institution, 
when  taken  in  connexion,  with  the  present  embarrass- 
ing condition  of  our  Treasury,  seems  to  require  some 
explanation  from  the  Managers.  The  erection  of  the 
large  new  building  already  referred  to,  required  heavy 
disbursements.  This  addition  to  our  accommoda- 
tions, was  already  necessary  to  the  enlarged  and  in- 
creasing usefulness  of  the  institution;  but  the  law  of 
the  last  session  of  the  Legislature,  authorising  the 
Governor  to  transfer  minors  from  the  state  prisons  to 
the  House  of  Refuge,  rendered  the  new  edifice  indis- 
pensable to  the  comfort,  convenience,  and  safety  of 
the  establishment.  For  the  means  of  paying  for  its 
construction,  the  Managers  have  confidently  relied 
upon  the  funds  by  law  appropriated  to  their  use,  but 
which,  without  the  knowledge  of  His  Excellency  the 
Governor,  as  it  is  presumed,  have  for  many  months 
been  retained  in  the  hands  of  the  Mayor,  under  the 
direction,  (as  regards  far  the  greater  sum,)  of  the 
Common  Council.  The  funds  here  referred  to,  are 
those  derived  from  the  additional  excise  imposed  by 


221 


the  act  of  1829,  upon  the  grocers  and  tavern  keepers 
of  this  city,  for  the  especial  benefit  and  support  of  the 
House  of  Refuge;  and  likewise  the  money  derived 
from  the  licences  of  theatres,  circuses,  &c.  Every 
member  of  the  Society  is  probably  aware  of  the  fact, 
that  the  constitutionality  of  this  additional  excise  upon 
the  venders  of  ardent  spirits,  has  been  contested  by 
those  required  to  pay  it;  and  although  the  tax  was 
collected,  yet  the  money  has  been  withheld  by  order 
of  the  Common  Council,  and  is  to  be  withheld,  until 
the  question  in  litigation  shall  have  been  finally  dis- 
posed of.  In  order  to  save  expenses,  however,  and 
bring  the  question  to  a  more  speedy  decision,  a  case 
was  made  up  in  the  first  instance,  and  submitted,  by 
consent  of  parties,  to  the  Supreme  Court;  by  which 
tribunal  the  constitutionality  of  the  law  has  been  sus- 
tained, and  judgment  awarded  in  behalf  of  the  House 
of  Refuge.  That  such  would  be  the  decision  of  this 
enlightened  tribunal,  the  Managers  never  entertained 
a  doubt;  and  on  hearing  of  the  decision,  they  suppo- 
sed the  money  would  be  paid  over  without  further  dif- 
ficulty or  delay.  But  they  have  been  disappointed 
in  this  reasonable  expectation;  and  because  of  an  in- 
timation, (though  as  yet  unofficial,  as  your  Managers 
believe,)  that  the  cause  is  to  be  carried  up  to  the 
Court  of  Errors  by  an  appeal,  His  Honor  the  Mayor 
still  withholds  the  money  from  our  treasury,  to  the 
amount  of  between  four  and  five  thousand  dollars,  of 
which  the  Managers  are  in  the  utmost  need. 

The  amount  due  the  institution,  accruing  from  li- 
cences granted  to  theatres  and  circuses,  is  twelve 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  No  constitutional  diffi- 
culty has  been  raised  by  those  who  have  taken  these 
licences.  Nor  do  any  pending  or  threatened  legal 
proceedings  afford  an  excuse  for  retaining  the  money 
from  the  House  of  Refuge.  But  his  Honor  the  Mayor, 
and,  as  it  is  understood,  without  the  direction  of  the 
Common  Council,  has  thus  far  declined  paying  it  over, 
upon  the  ground  that,  under  the  best  opinion  he  has 
been  able  to  form,  if  the  additional  excise  upon  gro- 
cers and  tavern  licences  is  unconstitutional,  so  also 
must  be  the  tax  upon  places  of  public  amusement. 
His  Honor  therefore  expresses  a  determination  to  re- 


222 


tain  these  moneys  also  in  his  hands,  until  the  question 
involved  in  another,  and,  as  your  Managers  believe, 
a  very  different  and  distinct  case,  shall  have  been  de- 
finitively adjudicated. 

In  stating  the  foregoing  Facts,  the  Managers  feel  that 
they  have  been  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  not 
only  to  the  Society  in  whose  service  they  are  engaged, 
but  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  state,  and  to  the 
government  by  which  it  has  been  so  liberally  endow- 
ed. But  in  doing  so,  they  would  by  no  means  be  un- 
derstood as  questioning  the  motives  of  the  Mayor. 
Still,  they  cannot  but  regret  the  embarrassments  to 
which  they  have  been  subjected  by  these  unexpected 
proceedings.  Their  treasury  is  not  only  empty,  but 
they  have  been  compelled  to  draw  upon  the  private 
funds  of  their  treasurer,  to  the  amount  of  upwards  of 
three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

No  apprehension,  however,  is  entertained  by  the 
Managers,  as  to  the  ultimate  result  of  the  legal  con- 
troversy mentioned  above;  but  every  week  of  delay 
must  necessarily  add  to  their  pucuniary  difficulties. 
The  constitutionality  of  the  law  has  been  sustained, 
not  only  by  the  opinions  of  men  of  great  legal  emi- 
nence, but  by  the  ablest  judges  on  the  bench.  But 
while  the  Managers  feel  it  to  be  unnecessary  to  enter 
upon  any  argument  as  to  the  equity  of  the  law,  they 
are  constrained  to  repeat  their  belief,  that  it  is  the 
consumption  of  ardent  spirits,  arid  the  influence  of  the 
theatres,  which  contribute,  more  than  all  other  cau- 
ses, to  the  numbers  sent  to  the  Refuge.  Intemperate 
parents,  being  unfit  for  the  care  and  management  of 
their  children,  suffer  them  to  grow  up  in  idle  and  vi- 
cious habits — the  criminal  infirmity  of  the  parents, 
too  often  begets  a  like  infirmity  in  the  children,  while 
the  pestilent  atmosphere  of  the  theatre,  conspires  to 
hasten  the  work  of  destruction. 

Although  the  Managers  feel  that  they  have  but  little 
to  fear  from  such  an  application,  yet  they  have  learn- 
ed with  regret,  that  a  renewed  effort  is  to  be  made 
during  the  present  session  of  the  Legislature,  to  de- 
prive the  treasury  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  of  the  mo- 
nies hitherto,  during  the  last  few  years,  derived  from 
the  Health  Commissioners'  department — being  a  com- 


223 


paratively  small  portion  of  the  receipts  from  passen- 
gers arriving  in  this  port.    The  pretext  under  which 
it  is  hoped  to  deprive  the  Refuge  of  this  portion  of 
its  revenue,  is  the  old  and  unfounded  complaint,  that 
it  is  encroaching  upon  the  contrihutions  of  mariners, 
and  perverting  their  hospital  money  to  a  purpose  for- 
eign to  that  for  which  such  contributions  were  orig- 
inally, and  are  yet  professedly  levied.    This  is  by  no 
means  a  fair  or  correct  statement  of  the  case,  as  the 
members  of  this  society,  the  public,  and  the  Legis- 
lature, must  all  by  this  time  very  well  know.    It  would 
be  unnecessary,  were  it  otherwise  proper,  to  go  into 
the  argument  here.    The  facts  are  simply  these:  The 
hospital  funds,  so  called,  are  derived  as  well  from  pas- 
sengers  as  mariners.    Nay,  the  receipts  from  passen- 
gers will  always  approximate  near,  if  they  do  not 
swell  beyond,  the  amount  derived  from  the  mariners. 
Such  has  been  the  fact  for  several  years  past;  and 
during  the  year  now  just  closed  upon  us,  it  is  estima- 
ted that  the  receipts  from  passengers  alone,  will 
amount  to  nearly  thirty  thousand  dollars — say  twenty- 
eight  thousand.    The  act  of  the  Legislature  of  1829, 
appropriates  the  sum  of  eight  thousand  dollars  from 
the  moneys  so  collected,  and  no  more.    So  that  the 
hospital  fund  will  have  received  about  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars  during  the  past  year,  from  passengers 
alone,  over  and  above  the  amount  paid  to  the  House 
of  Refuge,  and  in  addition  to  the  contributions  of  the 
mariners;  for,  notwithstanding  the  clamors  upon  this 
subject,  it  is  nevertheless  a  fact,  that  not  one  dollar 
of  the  money  arising  from  such  contributions,  has 
ever  been  asked  for,  or  received,  by  the  Refuge. 
Nor  is  there  any  more  reason,  so  far  as  your  Mana- 
gers can  perceive,  why  the  mariners  should  exclu- 
sively enjoy  the  benefits  accruing  from  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  passengers  arriving  at  this  port,  than  there 
is  that  the  latter  should  in  some  way  participate  in 
the  benefits  of  the  tax  upon  the  former.    But  there  is 
a  very  substantial  reason  wfyy  the  House  of  Refuge 
should  receive  a  portion  of  these  funds.    By  referring 
to  the  series  ofthe  Annual  Reports  of  this  Society,  it 
will  be  seen  that  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  in- 
mates ofthe  Refuge,  are  the  children  of  foreigners — 


224 


of  the  same  passengers  who  have  contributed  towards 
this  fund.  Of  one  hundred  and  forty-four  inmates 
committed  during  the  past  year,  sixty  only  were 
children  of  American  parents,  while  eighty-four  were 
children  of  foreigners.  Of  these  forty-one  were  of 
Irish,  and  twenty-three  of  English  extraction — the 
countries,  which,  more  than  all  others,  have  contribu- 
ted to  the  fund  of  which  we  are  speaking.  This  sim- 
ple statement  of  facts  is  deemed  amply  sufficient  to 
prove  the  peculiar  propriety  of  the  enactment  of  the 
State  Legislature,  which  appropriate  a  part  of  the 
revenues  thus  accruing,  to  the  House  of  Refuge. 

There  is  one  other  subject  to  which,  though  a  mat- 
ter of  some  delicacy,  the  Managers  feel  constrained 
to  invite  the  attention,  not  only  of  the  members  of 
the  Society,  but  of  the  community  at  large,  and  of  the 
state  government.    Whenever  it  has  so  happened 
that  fresh  depredations  have  been  committed  upon  the 
property  of  individuals,  or  the  peace  of  the  public, 
by  persons  who  may  have  formerly  been  inmates  of 
the  Refuge,  the  cases  have  been  eagerly  seized  upon 
by  certain  persons,  who,  from  interested  or  some 
other  motives  not  apparent,  are  opposed  to  the  insti- 
tution, magnified  beyond  measure,  and  employed  as 
means  of  exciting  unfriendly  feelings  towards  the  In- 
stitution, and  distrust  as  to  its  utility.    Such,  in  par- 
ticular, has  been  the  fact  on  two  occasions  during  the 
past  year,  viz :  on  the  return  of  a  couple  of  sailor-boys 
last  summer,  who  had  been  inmates  of  the  Refuge, 
and  in  the  recent  case  before  the  Court  of  Sessions, 
of  John  Lace.    In  regard  to  the  former,  the  Managers 
are  persuaded,  that  the  larceny  charged  upon  one  of 
them,  was  imputed  to  him  by  mistake.    He  had  most 
worthily  performed  a  long  sea-voyage,  and  returned 
here  with  his  earnings  in  his  pocket,  to  visit  his  rela- 
tives, and  in  particular  to  thank  the  Superintendent 
of  the  Refuge,  for  his  kindnesses  towards  him.  He 
was  moreover,  at  this  very  time,  under  a  profitable 
engagement  for  a  second  whaling  expedition,  upon 
which  he  is  now  absent.    The  case  of  Lace  was  a 
hard  one  from  the  beginning.    When  first  thrown 
upon  the  hands  of  the  managers,  and  conveyed  to  the 
Refuge,  he  was  old  and  skilful  in  crime.    Indeed  his 


225 


case  was  one  of  the  few  which  seemed  altogether 
hopeless  in  the  outset:  and  it  is  now  several  years 
since  he  left  the  Refuge.  He  was  bound  out  to  a 
trade,  but  soon  ran  away  from  his  master,  and  has  at 
length  found  a  situation  in  the  State  Prison,  where  he 
ought  to  have  been  in  a  state  of  discipline  long  since. 
But  is  it  just  or  generous  to  raise  a  clamour  against 
an  institution  of  this  peculiar  description,  on  account 
of  three  or  four,  or  even  of  a  dozen  unfortunate  cases? 
There  have  been  eight  hundred  and  thirty  J  uvenile 
Delinquents  received  into  the  Refuge,  since  its  com- 
mencement, six  years  ago.  Six  hundred  and  fifty 
of  these  have  been  disposed  of  in  different  ways; — 
and  is  it  to  be  supposed  that  in  so  great  a  number,  a 
thorough  moral  reformation  could,  by  human  means, 
have  been  wrought  in  every  one?  Such  a  general 
and  radical  transformation,  it  is  apprehended,  how- 
ever desirable,  could  not  have  been  produced,  save 
by  the  immediate  and  visible  interposition  of  Divine 
Power.  It  is  to  be  recollected,  however,  that  when 
the  Refuge  was  founded,  it  was  an  experiment.  There 
was  no  other  institution  of  the  kind  in  America  ;  and 
errors  both  in  judgment  and  practice  were  to  be 
expected,  until  time  and  experience  should  have 
enabled  the  Managers  to  discover  the  ;aost  wholesome 
principles  upon  which  to  build  their  moral  edifice, 
and  to  devise  the  best  practical  system  for  the  effec- 
tive administration  of  its  affairs.  When  moreover,  its 
doors  were  first  opened,  and  for  a  year  or  two  there- 
after, many  of  the  larger  classes  of  the  delinquents 
sent  to  the  Refuge,  were  already  adepts  in  crime,  and 
not  a  few  of  them  had  previously  been  in  the  peni- 
tentiary, once,  twice,  and  in  some  cases,  even  thrice. 
Was  it  reasonable,  then  we  repeat,  to  suppose,  that 
in  each  and  every  of  these  cases,  a  radical,  perfect, 
and  permanent  reformation  was  possible; — or,  in 
default  of  having  effected  such  reformation,  in  such 
cases,  is  it  just  to  question  or  deny  the  utility  of 
the  institution  ?  If  so,  the  age  of  human  perfec- 
tibility might  have  been  considered  very  near, 
since  nothing  more  would  have  been  necessary  to 
banish  sin  and  shame,  crime  and  sorrow,  than  to 
transform  all  the  dwellings  in  the  world  into  houses 

29 


226 


of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delinquents.  But  notwith- 
standing the  disadvantages  which  all  new  and  untried 
establishments  for  improving  the  moral  and  intellectual 
condition  of  man,  must  encounter,  and  in  despite  of 
other  untoward  circumstances,  so  far  from  the  exis- 
tence of  anyjust  cause  of  censure  or  disappointment, 
the  wonder  is,  that  so  much  has  been  accomplished  ; 
that  so  many  hopeful  reformations  have  taken  place; 
that  so  much  real,  substantial,  and,  to  all  human  ap- 
pearance, enduring  good,  has  been  effected.  If  the 
Managers  of  this  institution  can  already  point  to 
hundreds  of  cases,  in  which  idle  and  dissolute,  and 
even  criminal,  children,  of  both  sexes,  have  been  re- 
claimed— snatched,  as  it  were  from  the  steep  leading 
to  inevitable  destruction, — and  moulded  into  well- 
behaved,  sober,  moral,  industrious  and  modest  young 
artizens,  farmers,  seamen,  seamstresses,  &c, — some  of 
them  already  grown  up,  married,  and  respectably 
settled  in  life, — then  surely  may  the  Institution  appeal 
with  confidence,  to  the  favor  and  support  of  the  pub- 
lic. That  such  have  been  the  fruits  of  the  salutary 
moral  and  religious  discipline  of  the  House  of  Refuge, 
and  in  very  numerous  instances,  too,  its  archives  are 
supplied  with  abundant  testimony  to  prove.  A 
portion  of  this  testimony,  which  is  constantly  accu- 
mulating, has  been  laid  before  the  Society,  from  year 
to  year,  in  its  annual  reports;  and  some  additional 
items  of  evidence  to  the  same  effect,  are  hereunto 
annexed.  That  some  of  the  inmates  have  proved 
irreclaimable,  and  that  others,  after  an  apparent 
reformation — speaking  contrition  for  the  past,  and 
promising  well  fur  the  future, — have  again  relapsed 
into  immoral  and  vicious  practices,  the  Managers 
feel  no  disposition  to  conceal  or  deny.  But  such 
cases,  they  are  warranted  in  saying,  are  comparatively 
rare — comprising  but  a  small  proportion  of  the  whole 
number  who  have  fallen  under  the  care  of  the  institu- 
tion. On  the  contrary,  if  the  assurances  of  their 
officers  are  to  be  believed,  some  of  the  finest  young 
seaman  in  the  navy,  have  been  taken  from  the  Refuge. 
Others  have  been  entered  in  the  whaling  business, 
to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  their  employers,  and  with 
profit  to  themselves.    There  has  been  general  good 


227 


conduct  among  these,  and  some  of  them  are  at  the 
present  time  engaged  as  officers  in  that  hardy  and 
lucrative  service.  Others,  again,  are  seamen,  en- 
gaged in  different  branches  of  commercial  enterprise ; 
and  one  of  the  reformed  inmates  of  this  Institution, 
has  recently  sailed  from  one  of  our  ports,  the  second 
mate  of  an  Indiaman.  Many  are  now  engaged,  under 
very  favorable  circumstances,  as  apprentices  in  the 
art  of  husbandry.  The  term  of  service  of  some  has 
expired,  and  they  have  grown  up  respectable  young 
men.  One  of  these  has  married,  and  settled  down  a 
good  citizen.  Some  of  the  number  have  become  res- 
pectable mechanics.  One  of  these,  a  very  hard,  but 
ultimately  a  very  interesting  case,  became  decidedly 
devout  while  in  the  Refuge.  His  whole  temper  and 
disposition  were  changed  to  mildness  and  docility. 
He  was  bound  out  to  a  trade—has  acquired  it — and 
having  married  a  respectable  girl,  is  now  established, 
and  engaged  in  the  successful  prosecution  of  a  lucra- 
tive business.  Several  cases  have  occurred,  where 
young  girls,  guilty  of  different  offences,  have  been 
thoroughly  reclaimed  from  the  paths  of  iniquity.  Of 
these,  some  have  been  bound  to  service  at  distant 
places  in  the  country,  where  their  deportment  was  in 
all  respects  so  excellent,  that  they  have  married  res- 
pectably, and  are  now  discharging  the  duties  of  affec- 
tionate and  virtuous  wives  and  mothers.  And  the 
reports  from  great  numbers  of  others,  of  both  sexes, 
whose  periods  of  service  have  not  expired,  are  of  the 
most  gratifying,  and  even  animating  description. 
With  these  facts  before  us,  is  there  not  much  cause 
for  rejoicing  that  Providence  has  in  such  numerous 
instances,  smiled  upon  the  labors  of  this  institution! 
And  is  there  not  large  encouragement  for  the  contin- 
uance of  our  exertions,  in  a  cause  which  has  already 
been  attended  with  such  gratifying  results,  and  which 
is  so  rich  in  promise  for  the  future ! 

In  conclusion,  the  Managers  have  only  to  express 
the  very  great  obligations  they  are  under  to  the  la- 
dies who  have  the  supervision  of  the  Female  Depart- 
ment of  the  Refuge,  for  their  continued  and  efficient 
services  in  that  interesting  branch  of  this  important 
public  charity.    It  is  peculiarly  pleasant  to  content- 


228 


plate  the  spirit  of  philanthropy,  resting  upon  virtuous 
and  accomplished  women,  enabling  them,  as  her  min- 
isters, to  forego  the  luxuries  and  refinements  of  ele- 
gant homes,  to  watch  over  the  management  of  an  in- 
stitution like  the  House  of  Refuge — filled,  as  it  must 
be,  with  beings  often  rendered  loathsome  by  their 
vices  and  their  crimes,  and  seeking  to  bring  back  the 
erring  wanderer  to  the  paths  of  virtue,  and  to  elevate 
even  the  most  degraded  to  a  state  of  comparative 
moral  purity.  It  is  woman  who  invests  charity  with 
her  most  beautiful  drapery,  while  her  deeds  of  benefi- 
cence increase  her  own  loveliness.  Could  there  be 
an  excess  of  true  charity,  woman  would  be  prodigal; 
"  but  in  charity  there  is  no  excess ;  neither  can  man 
or  angel  come  in  danger  by  it.'- 

To  the  physicians  of  the  institution,  likewise,  Doc- 
tors Stearns  and  Carter,  the  thanks  of  the  Managers 
are  eminently  due,  for  their  gratuitous  services  ren- 
dered during  the  past  year,  in  the  hospital  of  the 
Refuge. 

Confidently  relying  upon  the  continuance  of  the 
public  and  legislative  favor,  and  determined  to  spare 
no  exertions  themselves  to  render  this  institution,  if 
not  all  that  can  be  desired,  at  least  much  more  than 
could,  a  very  few  years  since,  have  been  anticipated 
by  the  most  sanguine,  the  Managers  close  their  sixth 
year's  labors,  with  the  consolation  arising  from  what 
they  have  believed  a  faithful  discharge  of  their  public 
duty,  and  are  prepared  to  enter  upon  the  seventh  with 
renewed  confidence,  and  with  still  brighter  prospects 
of  success  in  proportion  to  their  means. 


LETTER  FROM  THE  SUPERINTENDENT. 
In  reply  to  a  note  addressed  by  the  Committee  appointed  to  pre- 
pare this  Report,  to  the  Superintendent  of  the  Refuge,  requesting 
the  necessary  facts  and  documents  to  be  incorporated  therein,  the 
following  letter  was  received  with  the  other  papers.  It  was  not 
written  for  publication  ;  but  as  it  embraces  many  statements  proper 
for  the  public  eye,  the  Committee  have  thought  it  advisable  to  in- 
clude it  in  this  Appendix. 


229 


14  You  ask,  gentlemen,  the  causes  of  the  commitment  of  our  in- 
mates.   I  would  first  refer  you  to  the  number  of  intemperate  pa- 
rents ascertained — doubting  not,  but  if  the  truth  was  known,  there 
are  many  more  of  this  class  than  the  parents  of  the  sixty-three  I 
have  mentioned.    The  consequence  is,  the  children  are  neglected, 
and  suffered  to  run  about  the  streets,  to  form  acquaintance  and  con- 
nexion with  older  and  idly  trained  boys  and  girls.    They  next 
begin  to  pilfer — sleep  out  nights,  around  the  market  places,  &c. ; 
and  as  their  depravity  naturally  leads  them  from  one  step  of  vice 
to  another,  they  begin  to  find  the  power  of  money,  not  only  to 
gratify  their  appetites,  but  by  degrees  are  led  to  different  places  of 
amusement,  which  in  their  nature  are  very  seducing.  Indulgence 
does  but  create  stronger  dispositions  to  obtain  the  means  for  at- 
tending Circuses,  Theatres,  &c,  and  we  rarely  receive  a  child  of 
any  years,  which  is  not  quite  familiar  with  either  the  one  or  the 
other,  or  both.    We  have  one  of  the  strongest  instances  of  the  in- 
fatuation produced  by  theatrical  amusements,  in  a  boy  now  in  the 
House,  that  we  recollect  to  have  witnessed.    He  is  a  youth  of 
highly  respectable  parentage,  and  his  father  had  the  means  and 
disposition  to  give  him  a  liberal  education.    Much  pains  and  ex- 
pense were  expended  to  qualify  him  for  college,  and  he  actually 
entered  one  of  those  seminaries,  where  he  spent  part  of  two  ses- 
sions.   But  while  quite  young,  he  was  taken  to  the  theatre,  by  a 
person  unknown  to  his  parents,  and  continued  to  attend  there  for 
a  length  of  time,  before  it  was  discovered  by  them.    "When  it  be- 
came known  to  them,  they  set  their  faces  strongly  against  it ; — but 
such  was  his  propensity  thitherward,  that,  in  the  first  instance,  if 
means  could  not  be  obtained,  he  would  sell  his  school  books — then 
his  mother's  silver  spoons,  and  books  from  his  father's  library ; 
and  when  these  were  not  obtainable,  would  change  away  his  best 
clothes  for  inferior  ones,  to  obtain  the  difference,  for  the  purpose 
of  gratifying  himself  in  these  amusements.    It  had  such  an  influ- 
ence upon  him,  as  to  become  a  perfect  infatuation.    He  would  not 
attend  to  his  literary  pursuits,  and  would  stop  at  nothing  to  obtain 
money,  that  he  might  indulge  his  passion.    To  prevent  greater 
disgrace,  his  friends  interfered,  and  had  him  sent  here.    We  have 
not  discovered  that  this  youth  is  beset  by  any  other  propensity. 
And  had  it  not  been  for  this,  there  is  no  probability  that  his  pa- 
rents' hearts  wrould  have  been  wounded  in  so  tender  a  point,  and 
one  of  our  colleges  would  doubtless  now  have  had  one  more  res- 
pectable and  promising  young  man  enrolled  upon  its  catalogue. 
And  while  we  look  over  our  large  family,  we  see  many  under  our 
care,  who,  had  they  been  blessed  with  sober  and  industrious  parents, 
would  doubtless  have  made  such  children  as  we  all  would  have 
been  proud  of,  had  they  been  sons  of  our  own.    We  consider  the 
inculcation  and  practice  of  industrious  habits,  a  powerful  means  of 
restoring  to  a  good  state  of  feeling,  this  young  class— connected 
with  those  moral  and  religious  precepts  taught  in  the  Bible.  Not- 
withstanding we  do  not  always  see  the  fruits  of  religious  instruc- 
tion; still,  feeling  the  influence  of  a  kind  father's  precepts  and  ex- 
ample upon  my  own  mind,  we  pursue  our  labors  cheerfully,  be- 
lieving the  impressions  will  be  lasting  and  powerful  in  more 
mature  age. 

"  Of  the  larger  and  more  hopeless  class,  we  have  sent  them  on 


230 


long  voyages  to  sea,  where  they  will  arrive  to  manhood  in  this 
honest  and  industrious  calling- — hoping  that  on  their  return,  those 
bubbles  and  toys,  that  in  their  youth  glistened  in  their  eyes  like 
the  diamond,  will  have  lost  their  charms.  Some,  it  is  true,  have 
disgraced  themselves,  and  brought  sorrow  to  the  hearts  of  the 
managers  of  this  institution,  who  devote  much  of  their  time  by  day 
and  by  night,  for  the  interest  of  these  unfortunate  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents,* without  fee  or  reward,  other  than  the  satisfaction  they  must 
experience,  at  having  done  all  in  their  power  to  reclaim  and  to  save 
them,  by  placing  them  in  a  way  to  obtain  a  respectable  and  honest 
livelihood.  Yet,  on  the  other  hand,  they  are  cheered  to  see  now 
and  then  a  hearty  and  hardy  Tar  return  from  his  voyage — and 
passing  even  his  own  relatives  to  come  up  with  his  certificate  of 
good  conduct  from  his  captain,  or  the  merchant,  first  to  greet  his 
kind  benefactors  at  the  Refuge.  I  now  recollect  two  boys  who 
once  afforded  but  little  hope.  They  are  now  mates  of  ships  out  of 
this  port,  one  of  whom  is  entrusted  with  large  amounts  of  valuable 
property,  and  is  considered  to  be  a  young  man  of  the  strictest  in- 
tegrity. 

"As  to  the  children  occasionally  returned  upon  our  hands,  while 
we  are  compelled  to  say  some  are  unworthy  of  the  stations  they 
were  placed  in — yet  with  all  the  vigilance  and  industry  of  our  In- 
denturing Committee,  who  spare  no  pains  to  obtain  information, 
not  only  of  the  respectability,  but  fitness  of  the  families  of  persons 
applying  to  them  for  apprentices  from  the  Refuge,  yet  sometimes 
children  are  unhappily  located — or  more  is  expected  from  them 
than  it  is  reasonable  to  require  of  children  of  their  age.  A  striking 
instance  at  this  moment  occurs  to  my  mind.  A  gentleman  of  res- 
pectability obtained  a  little  girl.  His  family  became  so  dissatisfied 
with  her,  that  the  gentleman  put  her  out  to  board  for  a  short  time, 
until  he  could  make  application  to  the  Indenturing  Committee,  and 
have  an  opportunity  of  returning  her  to  the  Refuge,  which  he  did 
with  an  appearance  of  strong  dislike,  &c.  All  were  fully  satisfied 
that  his  complaints  wrere  without  just  grounds,  and  after  retaining 
her  a  few  months,  another  favorable  opportunity  offered  to  send 
her  to  the  West.  After  she  had  been  out  several  months  the  se- 
cond time,  the  gentleman's  brother  came  (a  few  days  since)  nearly 
three  miles,  to  tell  us  how  highly  his  brother  and  family  were 
pleased  with  the  little  girl,  and  that  she  was  the  admiration  of  the 
neighborhood. 

"  From  one  neighborhood  in  Massachusetts,  wre  have  lately  had 
an  account  from  five  boys,  who  are  all  doing  well,  and  were  very 
much  beloved.  In  one  place  in  Connecticut,  six  of  our  boys  are 
all  doing  well;  and,  gentlemen,  I  could  fill  a  little  volume  with  in- 
teresting facts  like  the  foregoing,  as  we  always  keep  an  account  of 
parentage,  former  life,  conduct  in  the  House,  reports  from  their 
masters  after  being  indentured,  and  even  after  they  are  free,  mar- 
ried and  settled  in  business,  with  great  care  and  precision,  and 
have  now  rising  eight  hundred  of  these  histories  of  cases  thathave 
fallen  to  our  care.  I  will  close  by  furnishing  you  with  a  few  ex- 
tracts from  the  books  of  the  past  year,  showing  the  effects  of  this 
beneficent  public  charity. 

"Respectfully  yours, 

N.  C.  HART." 


231 


SELECTION  OF  CASES  ANU  LETTERS 

From  Apprentices,  and  from  Persons  to  whom  Apprentices 
have  been  bound. 

BOYS. 

September  18,  1829 
C.  D.,  from  a  court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  held-  in  Albany,  in 
and  for  the  county  of  Albany,  aged  18  years  the  11th  inst.,  born 
on  the  island  of  Guernsey,  of  English  parents  ;  his  mother  died  in 
Guernsey,  twelve  or  thirteen  years  ago ;  his  father  moved  to  P. 
several  years  since.  Not  long  after,  moved  back  to  V.  Some 
short  time  previous  to  his  father's  death,  he  had  put  C.  D.  as  an 

apprentice,  to  Mr.  ,  where  he  continued  four  years  ;  had 

learned  the  trade  so  that  he  could  make  cream  cups,  silver  spoons, 
(fee. — became  acquainted  with  a  boy  about  15  years  of  age.  M.  C. 
proposed  leaving  that  place  for  the  north;  C.  D.  said  he  had  no 
money;  C.  replied  that  he  had  sixty  dollars.  They  started  the  7th 
of  June  last.  The  first  stop  they  made  was  with  P.  M.  in  Broad- 
way, four  days ;  they  then  went  to  Albany,  put  up  with  Mr.  J. 
They  stayed  there  about  a  week,  and  then  cleared  out  without  pay- 
ing their  board;  went  to  Troy,  put  up  with  Mr.  P.  three  days, 
paid  their  board  and  started  for  Waterford  :  put  up  with  Mr.  H. 
F.  a  short  time,  and  cleared  without  paying  their  bill.  They  then 
started  for  Albany,  took  lodgings  with  Mr.  C,  told  him  they  had  no 
money,  but  they  were  to  write  to  Washington  for  some;  stopped 
one  week,  walked  out  to  Rensselaer  Yille,  and  put  up  with  C.  T. 
Not  having  any  cash,  they  were  asked  for  money;  C.  D.  pawned 
his  watch,  which,  according  to  calculation,  would  defray  their  ex- 
penses for  several  days,  (subject  to  be  redeemed  for  §8)  ;  but  in 
about  two  days  they  arose  before  day,  contrived  to  get  into  the  bar 
room,  took  the  landlord's  pocket  book  containing  $12  50  cents  in 
cash,  and  several  promissory  notes.  C,  as  it  rained,  helped  himself 
to  a  cloak,  and  on  they  started,  (this  was  the  4th  of  July.)  They 
were  pursued  and  taken  near  Coeyman's  Landing,  with  the  money 
on  them,  having  thrown  away  the  pocket  book  and  papers.  C.  was 
bailed  out  for  $500 ;  went  home,  and  forfeited  the  bond.  C.  D. 
remained  and  was  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  here.  He  says  du- 
ring the  four  years  that  he  was  with  his  master,  he  in  a  few  instan- 
ces picked  up  scraps,  made  gold  rings  and  sold  them  ;  his  master 
knew  of  it  twice,  but  only  reproved  him.    Entered  the  8th  class. 

On  the  re-examination  which  took  place,  I  judge  about  three 
months  after  the  foregoing,  he  says  that  he  was  a  bad  boy,  would 
play  truant  from  school,  &c. ;  feels  deeply  impressed  that  his  bad 
conduct  was  the  leading  cause  of  his  father's  death,  and  shows 
much  contrition  for  his  past  misconduct. 

When  this  boy  first  came  here,  he  was  very  troublesome,  and 
showed  a  strong  disposition  to  avail  himself  of  the  first  opportunity 
to  make  his  escape,  and  gave  us  much  anxiety ;  but  in  a  few 
months,  we  can  truly  say,  the  Lion  became  (from  every  appear- 
ance) a  Lamb;  he  became  humble  and  pliable,  of  a  quiet  and  meek 
spirit ;  a  lover  of  his  Bible  and  of  his  closet ;  would  gather  the 
smaller  boys  around  him  during  play  hours,  in  the  school  hall, 


232 


read  some  good  book,  and  converse  so  sweetly  about  good  things, 
that  he  had  much  influence  with  them  ;  as  he  was  large  and  some- 
what advanced  in  years,  we  felt  it  our  duty  to  give  him  a  fair  pro- 
bation. He  was  in  due  time,  indentured  to  a  Blacksmith  in  U.  I 
saw  a  gentleman  from  that  neighborhood,  who  informed  me  that 
lie  was  an  admirable  boy,  his  life  was  an  example  for  the  neighbor- 
hood. 

The  following  is  the  copy  of  a  letter  from  E.  F.,  a  little  Irish 
boy,  whose  father  is  dead,  and  whose  mother  is  very  intemperate: 
inconsequence  of  which  she  was  expelled  her  humble  abode,  not 
being  able  to  pay  her  rent;  they  were  found  in  the  street,  without 
house  or  home,  by  the  Commissioners.  This  boy  having  been 
guilty  of  some  little  improprieties,  was  sent  here  as  a  vagrant,  in 
July,  1828  ;  and  in  about  nine  months  was  indentured  to  Mr.  B. 
M.,  farmer  of  M. 

M.  December  7,  1830. 

*'My  Dear  Mother. — Your  letter  dated  the  26th  of  January 
last,  was  received  by  my  friend,  Mr.  M.,  it  has  given  me  great 
pleasure.  I  have  been  well  through  summer  and  fall :  I  have  at- 
tended Sunday  School  regularly  ;  I  am  well  pleased  with  my  place; 
yet,  dear  mother,  I  wish  you  good  health,  and  sister,  and  uncle, 
and  friends ;  likewise  I  wish  you  to  let  me  know  how  you  are  ;  I 
like  my  master  and  his  family  very  well  so  far;  I  expect  to  go  to 
day  school  this  winter;  I  am  going  to  have  a  suit  of  new  clothes 
this  christmas  ;  I  have  learned  to  ride  on  horseback  pretty  well ; 
I  have  plenty  of  good  food  and  raiment;  I  have  seen  D.  F.,  he  is 
well,  and  lives  two  miles  from  us ;  if  I  live,  and  be  a  good  boy,  I 
expect  to  go  to  New-York,  and  see  you  and  my  sisters,  and  perhaps 
some  of  my  friends  too;  we  have  had  a  very  fine  fall  in  this  coun- 
try; we  are  privileged  with  plenty  of  nuts  and  apples. 

Mr.  M.,  has  a  large  fine  ox,  and  when  he  takes  him  to  New-York, 
he  will  be  dressed  with  ribbons. 

Dear  mother,  I  give  my  best  respects  to  all  my  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances. Dear  mother  don't  give  yourself  any  uneasiness  on 
my  account.  I  am  hearty,  well,  and  contented,  and  hope  to  see 
you  again  before  long. 

I  remain  your  affectionate  son. 

E.  F. 

The  following  is  at  the  bottom  of  E.  F's  letter,  written  by  his 
master,  Mr.  M. 

E.  appears  to  be  well  pleased  with  his  place,  and  we  like  him 
very  well ;  we  think  he  is  full  as  smart,  and  trusty,  as  common  for 
boys  of  his  age.  This  letter  is  his  own  hand  writing  and  compo- 
sition. Yours,  &c. 

N.  C.  Hart.  B.  M. 

The  following  letter  was  received  from  G.  S.,  who  was  inden- 
tured to  a  Mr.  S.,  in  D.  Co.,  New-York,  farmer,  nearly  four  years 
ago,  and  may  be  interesting.  His  father  is  dead,  and  his  mother  is 
a  poor,  low,  miserable  drunkard. 

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart, — Dear  Friend,  I  take  this  opportunity  to  write 
to  you  these  few  lines.  I  am  well,  and  hope  this  will  find  you  so 
too,  and  all  my  mates,  and  I  hope  they  will  all  behave  well,  and 
get  good  places,  and  when  they  get  them,  I  hope  they  will  stick  to 


4 


233 


them.  I  have  stuck  by  Mr.  S.,  and  have  "done  as  well  as  I  knew 
how"  so  far.  I  have  got  the  promise  of  a  farm  when  my  time  is 
out.  My  dear  mother,  I  hope,  is  well,  and  my  brothers  and  sis- 
ters too.  My  time  will  soon  be  out,  and  I  will  come  and  see  you 
all. 

Mr.  Hart,  please  write  to  me,  and  tell  me  where  my  mother  and 
brothers  and  sisters  are,  and  how  they  are  doing.  I  should  like  to 
hear  from  all.       Yours,  &c.  J.  M. 

[This  poor  boy's  prospect  of  having  a  farm  on  shares  when  his 
time  is  out,  connected  with  the  tender  interest  manifested  in  behalf 
of  his  mother,  brothers  and  sisters,  comes  home  to  our  feelings, 
N.  C.  H.] 

1826,  Dec.  2,  H.  C,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  15  years, 
born  in  New-York.  He,  commenced  a  wild  career  very  young, 
was,  by  his  father,  turned  over  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  Alms 
House  as  a  vagrant.  Alderman  Burtis  bound  him  out  in  the  coun- 
try. He  soon  ran  away  from  his  place,  and  returned  to  his  father, 
who  sent  him  to  school;  but  he  played  truant  about  the  streets. 
He  was  then  put  with  a  cabinet  maker,  as  an  apprentice,  in  a  short 
time  was  sent  with  a  piece  of  furniture,  received  the  money,  and 
ran  away,  and  in  fact  he  could  not  be  kept  by  his  father  nor  mas- 
ters from  running  at  large.  He  said  his  first  theft  was  committed 
five  years  ago,  by  stealing  a  shilling  from  his  father.  He  stole  a 
silver  watch  from  one  of  his  father's  boarders.  In  offering  it  for 
sale,  he  was  mistrusted,  and  taken.  The  watch  was  obtained  by 
the  owner,  and  he  severely  punished  by  his  father.  Soon  after, 
he  procured  a  key  that  opened  a  trunk  belonging  to  the  same  man 
from  whom  he  had  stolen  the  watch,  where  he  found  a  sum  of 
money  in  bank  bills; — he  took  them,  but  was  detected  before  he 
left  the  house.  His  father  then  locked  him  up  for  two  or  three 
months,  and  kept  him  on  bread  and  water;  but  notwithstanding, 
he  frequently  afterwards  pilfered  small  amounts  from  his  father, 
and  sometimes  when  sent  on  errands  with  money,  would  run  away 
with  it,  and  be  gone  from  home  several  days  at  a  time.  The  last 
time,  he  was  absent  a  month,  carrying  wood,  begging,  &c,  when 
his  friends  had  him  taken  up,  and  sent  here  as  a  vagrant. 

H.  was  not  a  bad  dispositioned  boy,  nor  was  he  very  trouble- 
some to  manage;  yet,  after  keeping  him  here  two  years  and  a  half, 
we  could  not  feel  that  confidence  in  his  integrity,  which  warranted 
us  in  binding  him  out  in  +he  country.  Consequently,  in  June,  1829, 
as  an  opportunity  offered,  he  was  sent  on  a  whaling  voyage. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  sent  by  him  to  the  Superin- 
tendent: 

Sante  Jago,  July  23,  1830. 

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart, — Dear  Friend,  I  take  my  pen  in  hand  to  inform 
you  that  I  am  well,  and  hope  you  enjoy  the  same  blessing. 

I  am  now  on  my  second  voyage; — when  I  return,  I  will  come 
and  see  you.  There  being  a  brig  near  us  bound  to  New- York,  I 
thought  it  a  favourable  time  to  let  you  know  where  I  was,  and  how 
I.  come  on.  I  am  hearty  as  a  buck ;  I  never  will  forget  what  you 
have  done  for  me.  I  remember  what  you  told  me — "H,  you  are 
going  to  sea,*  but  remember  there  is  seldom  arose  without  a  thorn." 


'At  which  he  was  very  much  pleased. 
30 


234 


If  Hire,  when  I  return  I  shall  come  and  see  you  with  pleasure.  I 
saw  J.  M.,  who  has  gone  round  Cape  Horn  the  second  voyage.  I 
am  on  board  the  same  ship,  the  old  Congress  forever.  We  got 
last  year,  1300  barrels  of  oil.  We  have  three  pots  and  four  boats. 
We  are  determined  to  get  a  voyage.  We  are  going  to  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  ;  of  late  we  call  it  the  Cape  of  Storms,  where  there  is 
many  a  bitter  blow.  If  we  do  not  get  a  load,  we  are  going  to  double 
the  Cape,  and  cruise  for  the  Spanish  coast.  We  are  in  hopes  to 
return  by  next  March,  with  a  full  cargo  of  oil.  When  I  return  to 
Nantucket,  I  will  let  you  know.    I  leave  my  blessing  with  you. 

H.  C,  a  Refuge  boy  in  the  ship  C. 

Feb.  18,  1830. 

H.  J.  was  received  from  the  Police,  aged  10  years,  the  4th  of 
July t  last;  born  in  New-York,  of  Irish  parents.  They  are  both 
dead,  and  he  has  been  two  years  in  the  Orphan  Asylum. 

His  sister,  the  wife  of  J.  S.,  took  him,  thinking  that  she  could 
do  for  him.  But  it  appears  that  her  husband  drank.  He  received 
a  coat  to  mend,  which  he  pawned,  and  for  which  he  was  sued;  he 
threw  all  the  blame  and  disgrace  upon  his  wife,  wrongfully.  Feel- 
ing herself  so  disgraced,  she  told  her  husband  to  clear  out,  and 
went  herself  to  service.  Consequently,  the  care  of  H.  devolved 
on  his  brother  T.,  a  stone  cutter ;  but  he  not  being  married,  put  him 
as  an  apprentice,  first  to  G.  W.,  a  butcher,  to  whom  he  was  so  diso- 
bedient and  saucy,  that  he  would  not  keep  him.  Next  his  brother 
put  him  to  live  with  a  Mr.   ,  a  shoe  maker,  where  he  remain- 
ed two  weeks,  and  ran  away.  On  application  of  his  brother  to  the 
Police,  they  sent  him  here  as  a  vagrant.  He  hardly  knew  his  let- 
ters, and  a  more  scurvy  looking  little  object  of  pity,  we  have  seldom 
received.  But  it  was  soon  found,  that  all  that  he  required  to  make 
him  a  first  rate  boy,  was  proper  discipline,  with  regularity  and  some 
encouragement.  He  soon  rose  to  the  class  of  honor,  and  a  more 
faithful,  respectful,  industrious  child,  we  could  not  desire.    In  about 

nine  months,  he  was  indentured  to  ,  of  ,  who  has  sent 

us  the  following  letter : 

Dec.  13,  1830. 

Dear  Sir, — I  now  sit  down  to  drop  you  a  few  lines  respecting  the 
boy  who  was  indented  to  me  by  you  on  the  23d  of  October  last, 
and  thereby  fulfil  my  promise.  As  respects  the  boy,  I  certainly  am 
much  pleased  with  him ;  and  as  far  as  my  observations  have  ex- 
tended, must  say,  that  his  willingness  to  make  himself  useful,  ex- 
ceeds the  ordinary  run  of  boys.  As  yet,  I  have  not  selected  a 
school  for  him,  but  think  of  doing  so  in  a  few  days,  as  the  winter  is 
the  most  convenient  time  for  me  to  spare  him.  He  tells  the  family 
he  would  rather  stay  than  return,  notwithstanding  he  has  to  work 
hard.  Should  you,  or  any  other  person,  who  is,  (or  ought  to  be,) 
interested  in  the  boy's  welfare,  be  passing  through  this  section  of 
the  country,  I  should  like  you  to  call. 

Your  Obedient  Servant,  

Mr.  N.  C.  Hart,  Superintendent  of  the  House  of  Refuge. 

August  21,  1829. 
O.  P.,  from  a  court  of  Special  Sessions  held  in  this  city,  aged  12 

\  When  we  cannot  ascertain  what  month  or  day  they  were  born,  we  always  put 
It  the  4th  of  July.— N.  C.  H. 


235 


years  the  4th  of  July  last,  born  in  — — -  County,  of  American  pa- 
rents.   His  father  resides  in  street;  does  occasionally  drink 

too  much.  His  mother  died  about  four  years  ago.  His  father  mar* 
ried  again  in  about  two  years.  He  appears  to  have  been  at  loose 
ends  for  some  time.  The  boy  has  been  in  the  practice  of  playing 
truant  from  school,  running  about  the  markets,  <fcc.  He  commen- 
ced  stealing  by  taking  fruit  from  different  markets,  at  different  times, 
such  as  apples,  peaches,  melons,  &c.  Next  he  went  into  a  cellar 
kitchen,  with  S.  J.,  where  a  table  was  standing  and  took  two  small 
silver  spoons,  which  they  sold  for  three  shillings  :  then  a  sleigh 
from  another  boy,  which  he  sold  for  two  shillings:  then  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother  H.  and  others,  two  vests  and  a  silk  handker- 
chief: then  again  with  S.  J.  in  another  cellar  kitchen,  two  large 
silver  spoons.  He  was  taken  up  in  offering  them  for  sale.  Could 
not  read. 

One  of  the  largest  of  his  associates  has  since  been  sent  to  State 
Prison,  for  Burglary,  known  as  a  leader  and  teacher  of  little  boys 
in  crime. 

O.  had  been  here  but  twelve  days,  before  he  secreted  himself 
under  the  floor  of  one  of  the  work-shops,  with  an  intention  to  es- 
cape, for  which  he  was  punished;  but  it  appears  it  had  not  its  de- 
sired effect,  for  the  sixth  day  following,  bent  on  making  his  escape* 
being  very  active,  he  ran  up  a  tin  leader  on  the  side  of  the  house, 
got  on  the  roof,  down  another  tin  leader,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
same  building,  and  ran  like  a  little  deer,  but  was  discovered  by  one 
of  the  Superintendent's  domestics,  was  chased  into  a  swamp,  and 
re-taken  in  a  few  minutes.  He  was  then  locked  up  in  solitude  for 
several  days  on  bread  and  water,  which  had  its  desired  effect.  He 
soon  after,  by  his  quiet,  meek  and  respectful  manners,  connected 
with  punctuality  in  the  faithful  performance  of  all  his  labor  and 
duty,  not  only  gained  a  high  degree  of  esteem  and  confidence  from 
his  care-takers,  but  was  esteemed  by  his  fellows,  whose  society  was 
courted  by  the  first  class  of  boys,  was  in  due  time  promoted  to  the 
highest  class  of  honor,  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  all  his  mates, 
which  vote  is  always  taken  when  offered  by  the  Superintendent  for 
so  high  a  rank  among  his  fellows,  nor  did  he  ever  disgrace  his 
badge  while  he  remained  in  the  House ;  but  his  former  associates 
having  been  of  a  base  kind,  and  his  crimes  having  been  considera- 
ble, for  a  little  boy,  it  was  thought  proper  to  give  him  a  pretty  good 
probation  in  the  Refuge. 

After  remaining  in  the  House  from  the  21st  of  August,  1829,  to 
the  8th  of  October,  1830,  he  was  indentured  to  a  respectable  me- 
chanic in  D.  C.  who  in  a  short  time,  being  much  pleased  with  his 
boy,  has  written  to  know  if  he  could  procure  a  girl  from  the  Insti- 
tution. After  describing  the  age  and  qualifications  of  the  girl  he 
wants,  he  concludes  by  saying,  "one  of  your  choice  girls,  as  you 
called  the  boy  that  I  took  from  your  Institution.  And  sir,  I  do 
really  consider  him  a  choice  boy." — But  his  request  was  not  grant- 
ed, as  the  Managers  think  it  imprudent,  generally,  to  place  two  of 
our  children  in  one  family. 

A  few  days  since  we  received  the  following  letter,  in  the  boy's 
own  hand  writing,  which  is  fair  and  every  word  spelt  correctly. — 

Mr.  Hart. — As  you  requested  me  to  write  you,  to  inform  you 
how  I  was  pleased  with  my  place  and  trade ;  I  am  certain  I  think 


236 


you  have  obtained  a  good  place  and  trade  for  me.  Mr.  B.,  puts  roe 
to  work  with  a  journeyman,  who  instructs  me  well.  I  attend  to 
writing  and  arithmetic,  evenings.  You  will  not  expect  more  the 
first  time.    I  look  to  you  for  good  advice. 

My  thanks  to  you  and  good  wishes,  and  to  my  former  compan- 
ions. 

Yours  Truly, 

O.  P. 

As  we  report  one  death  during  the  year,  in  the  House,  it  may 
be  gratifying  to  some  to  have  an  account  of  the  case. 

His  name  was  John  Gillen — between  11  and  12  years  of  age. 
He  was  naturally  a  good  dispositioned  child,  but  his  former  habits 
were  such  as  might  be  expected  from  a  child  living  in  one  of  the 
most  abandoned  parts  of  the  city — without  father  or  mother,  or  any 
other  care-taker  than  an  aunt,  who  wished  him  away  from  her,  un- 
less he  could  bring  her  some  money.  He  was  sent  here  by  the 
Commissioners,  on  the  8th  of  August,  1829.  About  five  months 
previous  to  his  death,  he  was  taken  with  the  scarlet  fever,  which 
terminated  in  the  consumption.  During  his  illness,  he  was  fre- 
quently admonished  of  his  approaching  dissolution,  and  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  a  preparation  to  meet  the  change ;  and  occasionally 
prayers  were  offered  up  with  him,  and  he  was  pressed  to  look  to 
his  Redeemer  for  mercy;  which,  for  some  time,  he  was  daily  in 
the  practice  of.  He  appeared  to  die  in  a  very  happy  frame  of  mind. 
A  few  minutes  before  his  death,  he  was  asked  if  he  thought  he 
should  go  to  heaven.  He  answered,  "I  wish  I  was  there  now," 
and  requested  the  children  standing  round  his  bed,  to  sing  the  fol- 
lowing lines: 

O  how  happy  are  they, 
Who  their  Saviour  obey, 

And  have  laid  up  their  treasure  above ; 
Tongue  can  never  express, 
The  sweet  comforts  and  peace 

Of  a  soul  in  its  earliest  love,  &c. 

He  made  an  effort  to  join  in  singing;  but  his  strength  would  not 
allow.  After  they  had  sung  three  verses,  he  strove  to  say  some- 
thing ;  but  was  too  far  gone,  and  immediately  breathed  his  last, 
without  a  struggle  or  a  groan. 

GIRLS. 

April  20,  1830. 

G.  H.,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  13  years  the  13th  of  Oct. 
last,  born  in  New-York  of  English  parents.  Her  mother  as  well 
as  her  father,  drank  hard,  and  he  quitted  her  and  went  to  W.  S.  C. 
where  he  died  a  short  time  since* 

This  child  says  she  was  at  loose  ends,  and  had  nothing  but  bad 
examples  before  her,  running  about  the  streets,  forming  acquain- 
tance with  loose  girls,  &c.    Entered  8th  Class. 

From  the  time  the  child  first  came  here,  her  deportment  appear- 
ed to  show  that  the  bent  of  her  mind  was  to  reform,  and  to  try  to 
re-establish  her  character,  by  "doing  as  well  as  she  knew  how." 
She  soon,  not  only  gained  the  confidence  of  her  care-takers,  but 
their  esteem  and  affections. 

She  was,  the  19th  of  August,  indentured  to  a  pious  family  in  O. 
C.  who  are  delighted  with  the  girl,  and  call  her  "a  charming  child." 


237 


May,  1828. 

B.  C,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  7  years  the  4th  of  July 
last :  born  in  this  country,  of  Irish  father  and  English  mother,  who 
died  about  one  year  ago.  Since  which  time,  she  and  her  sister, 
about  eleven  years  of  age,  have  been  their  father's  principal  house- 
keepers :  he,  by  trade,  is  a  soap  boiler  and  starch  manufacturer, 
and  drinks  very  hard ;  when  intoxicated  is  very  cruel.  The  chil- 
dren thus  having  no  one  to  look  after  them  but  a  drunken  father, 
would  run  about  from  place  to  place,  forming  acquaintances  with 
wicked,  swearing,  thievish  girls,  who  put  them  up  to  steal  their 
father's  goods  and  sell  them — tear  up  his  shirts  and  sell  them  for 
old  rags.  This  course  they  kept  until  they  found  their  way  to  the 
House  of  Refuge.  This  one  did  not  know  her  letters.  She  being 
young,  with  proper  management  soon  bid  fair  to  make  a  desirable 
child ;  and  an  opportunity  offered  to  place  her  in  a  good  pious 
family,  where  we  had  no  doubt  she  would  be  trained  up  in  the 
way  she  should  go.  The  Indenturing  Committee  ordered  her  In- 
dentured in  a  few  months.  After  remaining  in  her  place  about  two 
years,  the  following  letter  was  received. 

December,  1830. 
Dear  Sir,  Thinking  you  would  be  pleased  to  hear  from  B.  C, 
whom  we  received  from  your  institution  about  two  years  ago,  I 
would  inform  you  that  she  has  enjoyed  good  health  since  that 
time,  and  has  learned  to  read,  knit  and  sew.  Her  conduct  in  gen- 
eral, has  been  good.  She  is  perfectly  contented  with  us,  and  does 
not  express  a  wish  to  return  to  New-York. 

Respectfully  Yours,      T.  W. 

F.  G.  H.  from  the  Commissioners  of  the  Alms  House,  aged  13 
years  the  10th  of  September  last,  born  in  New-York  of  American 
parents.  Her  father  was  a  ship  carpenter  by  trade ;  died  about 
three  years  ago.  Not  long  after,  her  mother  commenced  keeping 
a  bad  house  in  R.  street,  but  removed  to  L.  street,  where  after  this 
course  for  nearly  three  years,  she  died,  leaving  three  orphan 
daughters.  This  and  the  next  youngest,  about  ll  years  of  age 
were  taken  charge  of  by  girls  of  ill  fame,  where  the  Commissioners 
found  them  about  a  week  after  her  mother's  death.  The  young- 
est, about  seven  years  of  age,  was  taken  possession  of  by  her 
mother's  washer-woman.  When  she  first  came  here,  she  was 
very  wild,  exhibiting  that  kind  of  deportment,  which  was  natural 
for  her  to  acquire  from  the  examples  of  lewd  girls. 

After  a  few  months,  she  become  very  industrious  and  obedient, 
and  gave  much  hope,  that  she  would  yet  make  a  fine  woman. 
The  Ladies'  Committee  recommended,  that  she  be  indentured, 
when  a  suitable  place  in  the  country  should  offer.  She  was  so 
indentured,  to  a  gentleman  residing  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts, 
who  has  written  the  following  letter,  relative  to  the  child. — 

October  19,  1830. 
Mr.  Hart — Dear  Sir, — It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  am  able  to 
state  to  you  and  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  House  of  Refuge, 
that  the  girl  that  you  bound  to  me  last  spring,  has  uniformly  con- 
ducted herself  with  propriety,  and  to  my  satisfaction.  From  her 
conduct  thus  far,  I  trust,  and  think  that  she  will  prove  to  be  supe- 
rior to  most  girls.  She  appears  to  be  pleased  with  her  situation, 
and  does  not  wish  to  return  to  New-York. 

I  am  Dear  Sir,  Your  Ob't  Servant. 


238 


October  21,  1829. 

A.  B.  a  girl  from  the  Police,  aged  14  years,  the  2d  of  April  last. 
Born  in  S.  N.  J.  Her  father  left  her  mother  with  ten  children  to 
look  after,  all  of  whom  are  now  living. 

A.  B.  left  her  mother  contrary  to  her  wishes,  about  twelve 
months  ago,  thinking  that  she  could  do  better  by  herself.  First 
lived  three  months  with  Mrs.  H.  at  three  dollars  per  month :  next 
with  Mrs.  O.  who  kept  a  small  shop  nearly  opposite,  four  months, 
at  three  dollars  per  month  ;  then  with  her  aunt,  Mrs.  R.  about  five 
months,  at  three  dollars  per  month  and  other  presents.      *    *  * 

Her  going  out  so  often  without  having  any  errand  to  do,  raised 
the  suspicions  of  her  aunt  and  sister ;  this  led  her  sister  to  watch 
her  one  evening,  when  she  saw  her  join  a  stranger  in  her  walk — 
headed  her,  and  directed  her  to  go  home.  Her  aunt  then  inter- 
ceded with  the  Police  and  had  her  sent  here.  Entered  the  eighth 
class. 

Soon  after  she  came  here,  she  united  with  another  girl  in  form- 
ing a  plan  to  escape,  but  was  detected  and  punished ;  after  which, 
her  deportment  was  very  satisfactory  ;  she  became  contented  and 
satisfied,  and  would  converse  freely  upon  her  condition  and  state, 
and  manifested  by  degrees,  much  thoughtfulness. 

It  pleased  Divine  Providence,  to  visit  the  females  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  produce  much  religious  excitement  among  the  children, 
at  which  time  A.  B.  became  a  subject  of  hopeful  conversion,  nor  do 
we  believe  she  ever  swerved  from  the  path  of  piety  afterwards. 
Last  summer  she  became  quite  indisposed,  and  her  sickness  baffled 
the  skill  of  our  Physicians.  She  loved  her  Bible,  and  was  strict 
in  her  private  devotions,  and  occasionally,  while  confined  to  her 
bed  of  affliction,  would  break  out  in  humble  but  modest  acclama- 
tions of  praise  to  her  Blessed  Saviour — blessing  God  that  she  had 
ever  seen  the  House  of  Refuge. 

In  September  last,  her  friends  made  application  to  the  Inden- 
turing Committee,  to  return  her  to  them;  feeling,  as  they  should 
do,  a  solicitude  for  their  dying  relative.  It  was  granted.  Some 
of  the  Ladies'  Committee,  the  Matron,  and  myself,  frequently 
called  to  see  her — always  found  her  in  the  same  sweet  and  even 
frame  of  mind.  A  few  days  since  she  breathed  her  last,  in  the  tri- 
umph of  faith ;  blessing  and  praising  her  Maker,  that  ever  she  saw 
the  House  of  Refuge,  and  came  under  the  care  of  Mrs.  Oram,  the 
present  matron.  Her  last  request,  was,  that  her  friends  should 
send  for  the  Matron  and  Superintendent. 

REPORT  OF  THE  LADIES'  COMMITTEE. 

To  the  Managers  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  the  Ladies'  Committee 
respectfully  Report — 

That,  since  their  last  Annual  Report,  the  Monthly  Meetings  of 
the  Committee  have  been  regularly  held,  and  the  House  has  been 
visited  at  least  once  in  each  Aveek  by  sub-committees,  appointed 
for  that  purpose.  From  the  Minutes  of  these  Committees  a  sum* 
mary  of  which  will  be  laid  before  the  Managers,  it  appears,  that, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  months  during  which  the  matron  was 
seriously  indisposed,  general  good  order  has  prevailed,  and  the 
usual  routine  of  duties  been  well  performed. 


239 


By  the  detailed  Report  appended  to  this,  it  will  be  seen,  that  in 
addition  to  t!ie  every-day  occupations  of  cooking,  washing,  and 
mending  their  own  and  the  boys'  clothes,  attending  school,  and 
family  devotions,  &c,  the  girls  have  made  upwards  of  twenty-five 
hundred  garments  for  themselves  and  the  boys. 

At  the  date  of  our  last  Annual  Report,  there  were  thirty-eight 
girls  in  the  House;  of  whom  twenty-three  have  been  Indentured; 
two  returned  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  Alms  House—three  to 
their  parents — six  released,  being  of  legal  age,  and  four  remain  in 
the  House. 

During  the  past  year  31  girls,  have  been  committed  to  the  House, 
and  6  returned  who  had  been  indentured,  in 'previous  years  :  leav- 
ing 40  in  the  House  at  this  time. 

The  exertions  of  the  Matron  to  reform  the  habits  and  characters 
of  the  girls,  have,  we  believe,  been  attended  with  salutary  effects  ; 
an  evidence  of  which  is  furnished  by  the  fact,  that  in  no  previous 
year  has  there  been  so  entire  an  exemption  from  gross  miscon- 
duct in  the  female  department  of  the  Refuge. 

The  practice  of  committing  to  memory  portions  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  reciting  them  to  the  weekly  Committees,  is  con- 
tinued, and  frequently  furnishes  opportunities  for  admonition  and 
reproof,  which  we  trust  has  not  been  without  its  share  of  influence 
in  promoting  the  objects  of  the  Institution.  Indeed  the  neglect  of 
this  practice,  has  generally  been  accompained  by  a  corresponding 
deviation  from  the  rules  of  good  order  and  propriety. 

It  cannot  be  doubted  that  there  are  in  this  city  a  large  number  of 
female  children,  destitute  of  the  means  of  moral  instruction,  and 
exposed  to  the  contaminating  influence  of  corrupt  example ;  and 
that  their  condition  would  be  greatly  improved  and  the  communi- 
ty relieved,  by  placing  them  in  the  House  of  Refuge ;  we  are  so 
increasingly  and  deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  the  sub- 
ject, that  we  again  call  your  attention  earnestly  to  it.  We  do  still 
indulge  the  hope  that  our  Public  Authorities  may  be  induced  to 
apply  to  this  acknowledged  evil,  at  least,  a  partial  remedy — and 
earnestly  desire  that  your  exertions  for  the  attainment  of  this  ob- 
ject may  not  be  relaxed. 

In  taking  a  retrospective  view  of  their  labors  during  the  past 
year,  the  Ladies'  Committee  cannot  but  advert  with  feelings  of  re- 
gret to  cases  in  which  their  efforts  have  been  fruitless.  These 
have  not,  however,  been  numerous,  while,  in  many  instances,  the 
cheering  reflection  remains,  that  their  labors  have,  with  the  Divine 
blessing,  been  crowned  with  success. 

They  are  therefore  encouraged  to  persevere  in  the  good  work, 
remembering  the  injunction,  "In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and 
in  the  evening  withhold  not  thy  hand,  for  thou  knowest  not  which 
shall  prosper." 

SARAH  C.  HAWXHURST,  Secretary, 
12th  mo.  (December)  27th,  1830. 


240 


STATEMENTS. 

,    .  ,  Subjects. 

There  were  in  the  house  when  the  last  report  was  made, 

Boys,  128 
Girls,  38 

%  '      ___  165 

Of  those  previously  disposed  of,  there  have  been  returned 

Boys,  20 
Girls,  5 

  25 

Received  during  the  past  year,  Boys,     -       -       -       -  113 

Girls,  .  3i 

 144 

335 


Of  whom  there  have  been  indentured,  Boys,        *       -  105 

Girls,  23 

 128 

Returned  to  friends,  Boys,  3 

Girls,  3 

  11 

Returned  to  the  Aims-House,  Boys,     -  5 

Girls,     -  2 

  7 

Of  age,  Girls,  -       --       --       --  .6 

To  the  General  Sessions,  Boys,   ------  i 

Deceased,  (sick  with  consumption  when  received,)  Boy,  1 

Now  in  the  House,  Boys,  141 

Girls,    ------  40 

 181 

335 

The  number  of  subjects  received  into  the  House  of  Refuge  du- 
ring the  past  year,  Boys,         -       -       -       -       -  113 
Girls,  31 


Committed  by  the  following  authorities,  viz : 

Boys, — Commissioners  of  the  Alms  House  31 

Police  of  New-York  county,  53 
Special  Sessions  of  do.    -  1 

General  Sessions  of  do.  10 
Erie  County  Sessions  -  3 
Albany  county  Sessions  -  3 
Kings  County  Sessions  -  -  -  -  7 
Herkimer  County  Sessions       -  1 

Auburn  State  Prison,  -  2 
Sing  Sing  State  Prison,    -  1 

 113 

Girls, — Commissioners  of  Alms  House,        -       -  17 

Police  of  New-York,  -  -  -  -  11 
Court  of  Special  Sessions         -       -       -  i 

Albany  County,   2 

  31 


144 


241 


Of  the  above  number,  are  children  of 


American  Parentage, 

60 

Irish,  - 

41 

English,  - 

23 

German,  - 

7 

Scotch,  - 

3 

Italian,  - 

1 

French, 

1 

Unknown, 

8 

 144 

The  parents  of  sixty-three  of  the  above  children  are  Intemperate. 
Indentured  during  the  past  year, 


)  Farmers,              -       -  - 

30 

Sea  Service  of  various  kinds, 

31 

Blacksmiths,  - 

6 

Cloth  Manufacturers, 

10 

Hair  Dresser,  - 

1 

Cabinet  Maker,  - 

1 

Piano  Forte  Maker, 

1 

Bellows  Maker,  - 

1 

Paper  Maker,  - 

1 

Shoe  Makers,  - 

4 

Sugar  Manufacturers, 

12 

Whip  Manufacturer, 

1 

Tailors,         -       -       -  - 

2 

Saddler,  - 

X 

Comb  Manufacturer, 

1 

Mason,  - 

1 

Hatter,  - 

1 

 105 

Girls, — Domestic  Service,  Tailoresses,  &c,  23 
WORK  DONE  BY  THE  BOYS. 

CANE  CHAIR  BOTTOM  MANUFACTORY. 

Cane  chair  bottoms,  351  dozen  plain  Maple  Seats. 

294  dozen  plain  solid  fronts. 
143  dozen  Curled  and  Birds  Eye  fronts. 
18  dozen  curled  sewing  chair  fronts. 
24  dozen  curled  solid  front,  raised  back,  and 
box  seat. 

17  dozen  large  seats  and  backs  caned  for 
•  arm  chairs. 

847  dozen. 


39  settee  seats. 

BRUSH  MANUFACTORY. 

1000  dozen  Shoe  Brushes. 
200  dozen  Scrubbing  Brushes; 
600  dozen  Hair  Brushes. 
600  dozen  Cloth  Brushes. 
100  dozen  Horse  Brushes. 
50  dozen  Hat  Brushes. 
31 


(i  « 
it  ii 

<«  <T< 


242 


50  dozen  Flesh  Brushes. 
10  dozen  Nail  Brushes. 
10  dozen  Table  Brushes. 
2000  pound  Bristles,  assorted  and  combed. 
1400  pound  Bristles  picked. 
1400  pound  Bristles  washed  and  bleached. 
1000  dozen  Shoe  Brushes  finished. 
200  dozen  Scrubbing  Brushes  finished. 
600  dozen  Hair  Brushes  finished. 
500  dozen  Cloth  Brushes  finished. 
100  dozen  Horse  Brushes  finished. 
50  dozen  Hat  Brushes  finished. 
50  dozen  Flesh  Brushes  finished. 
10  dozen  Table  Brushes  finished. 

SHOE  SHOP. 

The  boys  make  and  mend  all  the  shoes  used  by  the  subjects  in 
both  houses. 

New  shoes  made  for  the  use  of  the  house,  past  year,  400  pair. 
Mended,  a  large  quantity. 

carpenters'  shop. 
Soap  and  Candle  Boxes,  20,175. 

OTHER  WORK  DONE  BY  THE  BOYS. 

Tilling  the  grounds;  working  in  the  gardens.  All  the  cooking 
for  the  Male  House,  has  been  done  by  t'lem :  they  whitewash  and 
cleanse  their  own  apartments,  and  mend  all  their  woollen  clothes  ; 
pick  wool ;  cut  roots  and  sarsaparilla ;  clean  and  sort  gums  and 
drugs  for  Apothecaries,  &c.  &c. 


WORK  DONE  BY  THE  GIRLS. 


Shirts  made, 

300 

Pillow  Ticks, 

16 

Pantaloons, 

702 

Bolsters,  - 

1 

Roundabouts  Jackets, 

527 

Stockings  run,  (pair) 

439 

Chemises, 

106 

Stockings  footed,  " 

16 

Frocks,  - 

151 

Spreads  made  and  quilted, 

18 

Aprons,  - 

82 

Brown  Rollers, 

125 

Waistcoats, 

45 

Diaper  Towels, 

12 

Petticoats, 

44 

Brown  Towels, 

12 

Night  caps, 

116 

Pantaloons  mended, 

2178 

Vandikes, 

104 

Shirts  mended, 

2628 

Pillow  Cases,  - 

104 

Bed  Ticks  mended, 

114 

Sheets,  - 

209 

Blankets  mended, 

360 

Pillows,  - 

8 

Sheets  made  for  Hospital, 

24 

Pieces  Washed,  46,800. 


SCHOOL  REPORT. 

From  the  1st  of  January  to  December  31,  1830,  one  hundred 
and  forty-four  children  have  entered  school. 
71  of  the  above  number  could  not  read. 

20  of  the  71  did  not  know  a  letter  They  were  from  8  to  16 
years  of  age:  average,  11  years  6  months. 

51  were  in  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  classes;  they  were 
from  10  to  16  years  of  age  :  average,  12  years  6  months. 

45  entered  the  first  reading  classes,  viz :  sixth  and  seventh. 


243 


28  in  the  more  advanced,  or  eighth  and  ninth. 

33  of  the  144,  are  all  that  knew  any  thing  of  Arithmetic. 

22  of  the  33  were  in  addition. 

During  the  past  year  the  promotions  have  been  as  follows : — 
20  have  been  promoted  from  the  1st  to  2d  class, 


19  "  "  "  2d  to  3d  class, 

28  "  "  "  3d  to  4th  class, 

31  "  "  "  4th  to  5th  class, 

36  "  "  "  5th  to  6th  class, 

47  «  "  "  6th  to  7th  class, 

31  "  "  "  7th  to  8th  class, 

21  "  M  "  8th  to  9th  class. 


Of  those  who  entered  the  Arithmetic  classes,  there  have  been 
an  equal  number  of  promotions. 

In  the  ninth  class  there  are  twenty-one  children*  who  read  His- 
tory and  study  Geography. 

Forty-two  write  on  paper ;  110  write  on  slates. 

With  this  exhibit  of  the  improvement  of  the  children,  the  teach- 
er would  remark,  that  the  regular  and  stated  employment  of  the 
children,  eight  hours  per  day,  does  not  appear  in  any  wise  to  mili- 
tate against  as  successful  a  prosecution  of  their  studies  during  the 
time  allotted  them,  as  is  observed  in  our  Public  Schools. 

The  Sabbath  School  is  also  under  the  sole  care  of  the  teacher, 
and  it  is  gratifying  to  say,  the  attention  given  to  the  reading  and 
searching  the  Holy  Scriptures,  affords  reason  to  hope,  that  many 
of  our  children  will  hereafter  (as  many  already  have)  date  their 
acquaintance  with  that  "  salvation"  which  is  no  where  taught  save 
in  the  "lively  oracles,"  to  Sabbath  School  instruction  received  in 
the  House  of  Refuge. 

It  appears  due  in  this  place  to  advert,  with  thankfulness,  to  the 
very  liberal  donations  which  have  been  made  from  time  to  time,  by 
the  Young  Men's  Bible  Society  of  New- York,  Auxiliary  to  the 
American  Bible  Society ;  nor  should  the  monthly  visits  of  the 
friends  of  Sabbath  Schools,  who  are  careful  to  present  us  with 
'  their  monthly  rewards,  for  the  encouragement  of  such  children  as 
are  diligent  in  searching  the  Scriptures,  be  forgotten. 

•  This  exhibits  the  state  of  the  schools,  male  and  female. 


244 


The  age9  of  the  Children  received  into  the  Refuge  since  it  was 
opened  on  1st  January,  1825,  to  1st  January,  1831. 


BOYS. 


Years  of 

age.  -  - 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

1825 

to  1826, 

1 

1 

2 

4 

5 

6 

6 

13 

14 

7 

5 

1 

1 

to  1827, 

1 

4 

7 

4 

6 

9 

20 

25 

10 

11 

5 

9 

3 

to  1828, 

4 

8 

13 

14 

13 

16 

11 

12 

8 

4 

1 

to  1829, 

3 

5 

11 

12 

18 

13 

32 

12 

11 

5 

to  1830, 

3 

10 

7 

17 

6 

25 

23 

10 

5 

1 

2 

1 

to  1831,  113 — average  age  12  years  2  months. 


GIRLS. 


1895 

to  1826, 

1 

1 

2 

4 

3 

4 

to  1827, 

3 

2 

4 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

to  1828, 

1 

1 

4 

5 

7 

6 

5 

9 

3 

to  1829, 

3 

3 

1 

3 

7 

10 

3 

5 

5 

3 

to  1830, 

2 

4 

4 

4 

5 

5 

10 

4 

1 

to  1831,  31— average  age  12  years.  

The  number  of  children  received  into  the  Refuge,  since  it  was 
opened,  1st  January,  1825,  to  1st  January,  1831,  that  have  been  in 
places  of  confinement,  viz  :  In  Bridewell,  Prisons,  Penitentiaries, 
&c.  &c,  and  the  length  of  time  they  were  confined,  before  being 
gent  to  the  Refuge. 

Bridewell. — 57  have  been  in  once,  26  twice,  14  three  times,  3 
four  times,  5  five  times,  and  1  ten  times. 

Penitentiary. — 13  have  been  in  six  months,  3  twelve  months, 
4  eighteen  months,  1  thirty  months,  2  thirty-six  months. 

State  Prison. — 4. 

Character  of  the  Parents  of  Children  received  into  the  Refuge, 

Parents  been  in  Bridewell,  35  ;  Penitentiary,  16  ;  State's  Prison, 
2 ;  Intemperate,  464  ;  Houses  of  111  Fame,  9  ;  Parents  allow  chil- 
dren to  steal,  10;  Parents  receiving  the  avails  of  stealing,  8. 

Since  the  opening  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  there  have  been 
committed  and  received  into  it  eight  hundred  and  thirty-four  chil- 
dren. Boys,  628 

Girls,  206 
 834 


245 


B  CO 
•  CO 
O 


cO  o 
§  OH 

sis- 

CT  © 
S3   Cb  £3 

js:  a  era 

P  r+  ^ 
P    £f  3 

S 

CO  J 

Sis 


P 

o 

CD  • 


03 


M  » 

3gS. 

(0  3  3, 
S  -*  «1 

tfo  P 
O  T3 


?3 


o'er? 

3  2,  >3  : 

©   C9   £\2  • 


•  p  cr 

•  g  o 

:  s'e 

•  £Ld 

•  r  co 

•  ©  - 

:  3  n 

.  TJ  P 


-  :  &  a  : 

1  :  p- 
o  ;  >.  • 

2  -  8  :  : 


ST  ^  03 
5  I  o 


go 

EC  js* 

S       f  'g 

a  sr  o  s  & 

3    ~i  g 

B  £  ffi 

©  P*3  o 
p  57  ct>  B 

P.  P  3  P  T5 

!&»§ 

,_,  ©  a.  P  a> 

65'  .    3    •  ~ 

CD'  i  J*  .  .  &j 

o  ■    :  o 

S. :  >•  r 

>-t*  '    co   •  en 

CD    .  ,  .  , 

-  •  g. :  ^ 

=  .  p  .  p 

jr*  .    r+   .  CD 

P-  .  co   .  >-« 


■  H 


O   S3    ©   -r*  2. 

P  3  g  2-  P- 

<j  p  2  b  p 
?3  HP  3»g 
sittS^crS 

-     CD   o        ,©  B 

Og-<  g. 

BJ      co  CD  - 
f    03  o'  r> 

W  CD  3  O 

©  bj 
cd  b'©5      •  CD 

8°frp 

°  °  Q  •    •  B 
O 


# 

=€& 

CO 

to 

© 

to 

CO 

CO  M  Ol 

<o 

Oi 

to 

o 

CO 

Ci  C  CO  to  CO 

-4 

£k 

to 

on 

<t  <r> 

CO  -I 

CD 

to 

i—       00  h-i  00 

-J 

Oi 

to 

to  o 

O! 

^1 

to  to  to  oo  to 

8 

OS 

00 

to  Ox 

00  Ci 

to 

CO 

CO  o  to  to  to 

S3 

go  o 

CO  CO 

00 

CO  O       00  w 

p  I— > 

^3  CO 
CO  •  CO 

o 


00 


o  p 
©  CK) 
BS  P  » 
CD  B" 


p  0/3 


O1  p 

1  < 

rt-  © 

CD  3 

P  3 
^  ?S 
•*>  o 

jtt  CD 

P^J 

O 


E.CD 


cd    Cd  H 

*^  O*^  E±  P  ST  «> 

g^OSB  "SI" 

P    r»  09         O   M  .  .  P 

srerg  03B  p?g© 


D3 

CD 

P-i  °  Q 


S3 


CDBOPHp-  wB^ 
cfo'cB'B  Bo  g,5" 

S  2.P  3 
BtSH©  2  ^< 


60     CO  D3C6 

^  p^  ^v; 

?B  ?0/.0  6d 

"  ~B-  cD^-g  B-pS-C?g-p 

ah  kbit 


2.  p-  © 

60^ 

o 


O   CD  O 


P 


CO 


n-  3  B. 


cn 

3.1  f-l  §E! 

-  ■  B  -  cL  S  O  B1  o  g 
r  ^o°8» 

_    v-.  CD 
CD         P-  ©  P-^5 

1 »  Sir0- 

p-^^-fL3  — 

qV  00       P-  3  00 

S  o  *^  cc  o 


63H 

£L  p 


CD 

C  S" 


»  g  ^  0  ©  §r 

3  p  g^'aj^gS 

B.SoFfPsroo 
O  B 


© 


r»S  s  §  p  »S  ^ 

£-»B  m  B  CD  B^ 
B    -.S^  O 

w  2  o  5s  w-b 

ST.  CO    H|  co 

B       2-  to  B," 

O       CO  p 

p  1  Tl".  ~ 

P  CO  B  .  ^ 
X  CO       .  B 

^^o  :  p- 
^1  §  :  & 

2  *g  :  S 
©  £.  P  !  2 


246 


Officers  of  the  Society. 

CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,  President. 
STEPHEN  ALLEN, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 

HENRY  I.  WYCKOFF,  /   *  *cc  Presidents. 
JAMES  LOVETT, 
PETER  SHARPE, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS,  Treasurer. 
FREDERICK  SHELDON,  Secretary. 
JOHN  STEARNS,  M.  D.   ?  n,    .  .  ,  e 

GALEN  CARTER,  M.  D.  \  *h™ians  and  Surgeons. 

House  of  Refuge. 

NATHANIEL  C.  HART,  Superintendent. 
JOSEPH  B.  ROE,  Assistant  Superintendent. 
REBECCA  ORAM,  Matron. 
SARAH  ANN  ORAM,  Assistant  Matron. 
CHARLES  CECIL,  Teacher. 

Indenturing-  Committee. 

WILLIAM  F.  MOTT, 
HEMAN  AVERILL, 
MYNDERT  VAN  SCHAICK. 

Acting  Committee. 

WILLIAM  W.  FOX, 
MYNDERT  VAN  SCHAICK, 
HEMAN  AVERILL, 
JOHN  HUNTER, 
ROBERT  D.  WEEKS, 
FREDERICK  A.  TRACY, 
RUSSEL  H.  NEVINS. 

Managers, 

Stephen  Allen,      William  Kent,        Peter  Sharpe, 
Heman  Averill,      James  Lovett,         John  Stearns, 
Arthur  Burtis,       Rufus  L.  Lord,        P.  R.  Starr, 
C.  D.  Colden,         William  F.  Mott,  William  L.  Stone, 
Robert  C.  Cornell,Hugh  Maxwell,       Charles  Town, 
Cornelius  Dubois,  Dennis  M'Carthy,  Frederick  A;  Tracy, 
Jacob  Drake,  Russel  H.  Nevins,  M.  Van  Schaick, 

William  W.  Fox,    Ralph  Olmsted,      Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 
John  Griscom,         Nath'l  Richards,    John  W.  Wyman, 
John  Hunter,         Fred'k  Sheldon,     Robert  D.  Weeks. 
Jacob  Harvey, 

Ladies'  Committee. 

Rebecca  M'Comb,  Isabella  Buloid, 

Sophia  Wyckoff,  Phebe  Mott, 

Ann  Warner,  Charlotte  L.  Fox, 

Deborah  L.  Embree,  Sarah  C.  Hawxhurst, 

Almy  Cornell,  Maria  L.  Hyde, 

Margaret  Beers,  Martha  Willis, 

Ann  L.  Mott,  Esther  Seymour. 


SEVENTH  ANNUAL  REPORT,  &c. 

1832. 


IN  obedience  to  the  act  incorporating  the  Society 
for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the 
city  and  state  of  New-York,  the  Managers  respect- 
fully Report :— That 

Subjects. 

There  have  been  received  into  the  House  of  Refuge  during  the 
past  year,  Boys,      -  101 

Girls,     -  24 

 125 

Of  those  who  had  been  previously  indentured,  there  have 
been  returned,  Boys,     -       -  n 

Girls,     -       -  2 

  13 

There  have  been  also  returned,  two  boys  who  had  escaped,  2 
There  were  in  the  House,  at  the  date  of  the  last  Annual 
Report,  Boys,     -       -  ]4l 

Girls,     -                 40  - 
 181 

Thus  making,  of  all  the  children  under  the  care  of  the   

Society  during  the  past  year,  the  total  of    -       -       -  321 

Of  these  there  have  been  Indentured, 

Boys,  -  -  102 
Girls,      -       -  20 

 122 

Returned  to  friends,  -       -       Boys,      -       -  12 

Girls,      -       -  2 

  14 

Of  Age,  -  One  Girl,  -       -  l 

Escaped  during  the  year,  -  Boys,  -  2 
And  there  are  now  remaining  in  the  House, 

Boys,  -  -  139 
Girls,      -       -  43 

 182 

321 

Those  received  into  the  House,  were  committed  by 
the  following  authorities,  viz : — 

Boys : — By  the  Commissioners  of  the  Aims-House,  6 

"     Police  of  the  City  and  County  of  N.  Y.  63 

"     Special  Sessions  of       do.  6 

"     General  Sessions  of      do.         -  7 

!<     Albany  County  Sessions,  7 

"     Kings  County  Sessions,      ...  4 


248 


44  Orange  County  Sessions,  3 

44  Renssclear  County  do.       -  -       -  1 

44  Monroe  County      do.       -  -  2 

44  Ulster  County        do.       -  -       -  1 

44  Oneida  County       do.       -  -       -  1 

Girls: — By  the  Commissioners  of  the  Aims-House,  5 

44  Police  of  New-York  County  -  18 

44  Special  Sessions  of  do.  -  1 


Of  the  above  number,  there  are, 

Of  American  Parentage,  -       -  61 

Of  Irish              do.  -  32 

Of  English          do.  15 

Of  German         do.  2 

Of  Scotch           do.  3 

Of  French          do.  8 

Of  Welch            do.  ...  3 

Of  unknown       do.  1 

Those  committed  were  of  the  following  ages,  viz: 


125 


One  of 

5 

years, 

One  of 

7 

K 

Five  of 

8 

(4 

Five  of 

9 

(| 

Six  of 

10 

(( 

Seven  of  - 

11 

(( 

Thirteen  of 

12 

(( 

Eighteen  of 

13 

(« 

Twenty-one  of  - 

14 

(( 

Twenty-nine  of  - 

15 

U 

Twelve  of 

16 

K 

Five  of 

17 

u 

One  of 

18 

ti 

One  of 

19 

u 

Total,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five. 

There  have  been  Indentured  during  the  year ; — 

Boys, — To  Farmers,       ...  -  35 

South  Sea  "Whale  Fishery,  and 

other  Sea  Service,  24 

Shoe  Makers         ...  8 

Blacksmiths,          -  9 

Tailors,         -  2 

House  Carpenters,  4 

Ship  Carpenters,     -  3 

Mason,          -  I 

Chair  Makers,        -  4 

Tanners  and  Curriers,  4 

Baker,           -  1 

Carriage  Makers,    -  2 

Carried  over,  —  97 


249 


Brought  over,  97 
Hatter,  -  1 

Printer,  -  1 
Cloth  Manufacturers,  2 
Cabinet  Maker,      -       -  I 

 102 

Girls, — House-wifery,  20 

 122 

It  will  be  observed  in  the  foregoing  Tables  that  in 
a  few  instances,  children  have  been  returned  to  their 
friends.  This  course  has  never  been  pursued,  except 
under  peculiar  circumstances,  which  appeared  to  the 
Managers  not  only  to  justify  the  proceeding,  but  to 
render  it  more  advisable  than  the  ordinary  mode  of 
indenturing  apprentices.  It  was  done,  for  example, 
in  one  instance,  in  which  a  child's  parents  of  respect- 
able characters  had  removed  from  the  city  to  the 
country,  and  settled  on  a  farm  with  a  view  to  perma- 
nent agricultural  pursuits,  and  offered  perhaps  the 
most  advantageous  apprenticeship,  which  it  was  in 
the  power  of  the  Managers  to  procure.  In  another 
instance,  it  was  satisfactorily  proved  that  the  charge 
on  which  a  boy  had  been  sent  to  the  Refuge  was  ut- 
terly unfounded,  and  the  Magistrates  before  whom  he 
had  been  arraigned,  united  in  a  certificate  of  his  in- 
nocence. One  little  boy  of  very  tender  years,  afflic- 
ted by  a  disease  which  ultimately  terminated  in  his 
death,  was  surrendered,  temporarily,  to  the  care  of 
an  anxious  mother.  This  departure  from  the  usual 
disposition  of  the  children,  has  been  allowed  only 
when  on  the  best  consideration,  it  seems  preferable 
to  any  other  course  which  could  be  pursued  in  rela- 
tion to  the  child. 

In  indenturing  the  Children,  committed  to  the  Man- 
agers' care,  the  most  patient  consideration  is  bestow- 
ed upon  the  selection  of  suitable  occupations  and  pla- 
ces of  abode,  and  every  means  within  the  power  of 
the  Managers  is  diligently  employed  in  the  investi- 
gation of  the  character  and  circumstances  of  the  per- 
son to  whom  an  apprentice  is  indentured.  The  wish- 
es of  the  child  are  carefully  attended  to,  and  an  ap- 
prenticeship rarely  takes  place  without  the  perfect 
accordance  of  his  feelings.  The  execution  of  this  im- 
portant branch  of  the  Directors'  duties,  involves  in  it 

32 


250 


perhaps  the  greatest  degree  of  labor  attending  the 
management  of  the  Institution.  Three  of  the  Mana- 
gers, forming  what  is  termed  the  Indenturing  Committee, 
are  specially  charged  with  this  employment.  This 
Committee  meets  always  once,  and  frequently  twice 
or  three  times  a  week  at  the  House  of  Refuge,  often 
spending  the  greater  part  of  a  day  in  a  meeting.  Be- 
fore this  Committee  are  laid  the  applications  for  ap- 
prentices; and  all  such  certificates  and  evidence  as 
it  is  possible  to  obtain  of  the  character  and  circum- 
stances of  the  applicants,  are  required  and  minutely 
examined :  and  as  far  as  a  personal  investigation  into 
every  circumstance  connected  with  the  proposed  In- 
denture is  within  their  power,  it  is  industriously  pros- 
ecuted by  the  Members  of  the  Committee  in  the  re- 
cess of  their  Meeting. 

It  is  felt  by  the  Managers,  to  be  due  to  the  gentle- 
men to  whom  this  important  department  of  the  man- 
agement of  the  Institution  has  been  confided,  to  be- 
stow a  further  remark  upon  the  additional  labors  with 
which  they  charge  themselves.  The  supervision  of 
this  Committee  over  the  children  of  the  Refuge,  ceases 
not  with  the  departure  of  the  latter  from  our  walls. 
As  far  as  is  practicable,  a  tutelary  observation  is  still 
maintained  over  the  situation  of  the  youth  who  have 
been  indentured,  and  particularly  over  the  treatment 
which  they  receive  from  their  employers.  And  in 
some  instances,  where  an  interference  on  behalf  of 
the  apprentice  was  demanded,  as  where  it  was  dis- 
covered that  he  had  been  cruelly  treated,  or  that  his 
morals  had  been  neglected,  or  that  the  character  of 
his  master  was  different  from  what  it  had  been  repre- 
sented, and  likely  to  affect  injuriously  the  welfare  of 
the  indentured  boy,  a  change  was  effected  by  the  ex- 
ertions of  the  Committee,  and  the  child  transferred  to 
a  more  humane  and  advantageous  situation. 

The  discipline  and  government  of  the  children 
within  the  House  of  Refuge,  are  enforced  and  impro- 
ved by  the  collateral  labors  of  the  Indenturing  Com- 
mittee. In  guiding  their  judgments  in  the  selection 
of  Apprentices,  the  Members  of  the  Committee  render 
themselves  minutely  acquainted  with  the  individual 
character  and  circumstances  of  the  different  children* 


251 


mnd  are  enabled  to  assist  the  Officers  of  the  Institution 
by  their  counsel,  in  the  details  of  their  treatment  of 
the  inmates  of  the  House.  The  children  are  sepa- 
rately called  before  them,  and  examined  in  private; 
their  good  or  bad  standing  is  inquired  into,  and  its 
causes  ascertained ;  those  who  are  subject  to  cen- 
sure are  exhorted,  advised  and  reproved,  while  the 
meritorious  are  commended  and  encouraged  to  per- 
severe in  the  performance  of  their  duties :  and  a  reg- 
ular classification  of  all  the  persons  in  the  House  is 
made,  with  a  view  to  the  relative  standing  of  each  in- 
dividual, and  the  distribution  of  rewards  or  the  ap- 
plication of  punishments.  The  effect  of  these  servi- 
ces is  perceived  by  the  Managers,  on  the  whole  ope- 
ration of  the  Institution,  and  draws  from  them  this  ac- 
knowledgment to  the  gentlemen  whose  gratuitous 
labors,  at  the  cost  of  so  much  time  and  active  exer- 
tion, have  been  faithfully  and  unremittedly  performed. 

The  tables  above  given,  exhibit  the  different  occu- 
pations selected  by  the  Managers  for  the  Apprentices 
whom  they  have  indentured. 

One  of  the  occupations,  which  may  strike  the  ob- 
server on  the  first  consideration,  as  the  most  hazard- 
ous and  doubtful  in  its  effects  on  youth — we  allude  to 
that  of  a  seaman — has  been  proved  by  experience  to 
be  among  the  most  benign  and  favorable.  The  young 
men,  (for  those  indentured  as  seamen  were  the  oldest 
boys  in  the  establishment,)  shipped  as  sailors  were 
mostly  sent  on  the  South-Sea  whaling  voyages,  of 
which  the  results  appear  to  have  been  favorable  to 
their  morals,  as  well  as  to  their  pecuniary  interests. 
The  Superintendent,  in  a  letter  to  the  Managers,  of 
which  we  give  an  extract,  has  pointed  out  this  class 
of  our  boys  as  deserving  of  particular  notice.  "1 
shall,"  he  remarks,  "feel  much  gratified  in  speaking 
"  of  the  happy  results  of  sending  our  boys  on  the  long 
"  South-Sea  whaling  voyages.  A  large  number  have 
"  returned  this  season,  and  almost  uniformly  come  to 
"see  us;  dressed  without  exception  like  gentlemen; 
"  some  with  watches  in  their  pockets,  the  fruits  of 
"  their  own  industry.  The  greater  part  of  them  re- 
"  turn  to  the  same  employ  again.    Many  are  shipped 


252 


"as  boat-steerers,  and  one,  I  am  informed,  has  been 
"made  second  mate  of  one  of  the  whaling  ships." 

During  the  past  year,  the  inmates  of  the  House  of 
Refuge  have  been  engaged  in  the  following  mechan- 
ical employments:  In  the  manufacture  of  Brushes  for 
clothes,  shoes,  hats,  &c. ;  in  Cabinet  work,  making 
bedsteads,  piue  and  cherry  tables,  wash  stands,  &c. ; 
in  the  manufacture  of  bead  ear-ring,  safety-chains, 
and  necklaces;  and,  principally,  in  the  manufacture 
of  seats  for  chairs  and  settees.  The  amount  of  work 
performed  by  the  boys  in  these  branches,  will  appear 
in  the  statements  of  the  Superintendent  annexed  to 
this  Report.  Shoes  for  the  use  of  all  the  children  are 
made  within  the  walls,  as  are  also  clothes  for  the  use 
of  the  whole  establishment.  The  cooking  of  the 
Male  and  Female  Houses,  is  done  exclusively  by  the 
inmates  of  the  respective  Houses;  and  the  washing 
for  all  the  children  is  done  by  the  girls.  By  a  recent 
arrangement,  fifteen  of  the  girls  are  now  employed  by 
a  tailor  in  making  clothes,  on  wages  of  a  shilling  each 
per  day.  And  in  the  above  mentioned  trades,  (except 
the  making  of  shoes  and  clothes,)  the  boys  are,  in  like 
manner,  hired  by  contractors  at  wages  of  12  1-2  each 
per  day.  This  method  has  been  adopted  by  the  Man- 
agers, after  a  trial  of  different  dispositions  of  the  chil- 
dren, as  on  the  whole  the  most  advantageous.  It  is 
free  from  the  losses  and  risks  attendant  on  the  car- 
rying on  of  trades  for  the  account  of  the  Society,  and 
enables  the  Officers  of  the  Institution  to  bestow  more 
time,  and  greater  attention  on  the  moral  government 
of  the  children,  who  remain,  by  the  terms  of  the  con- 
tracts, exclusively  under  the  discipline  and  control  of 
the  Society. 

It  is  with  great  satisfaction  that  the  Managers  ad- 
vert to  the  health  of  the  Refuge.  During  the  past 
year  not  a  single  death  has  occurred  among  the  chil- 
dren within  the  House,  nor  scarcely  a  case  of  serious 
disease ;  and  at  the  present  moment,  there  is  not  in 
our  Hospital  a  child  whose  sickness  excites  the  least 
apprehension.  In  a  season  like  the  present,  of  unu- 
sual sickliness  in  the  city  of  New-York,  the  healthy 
state  of  the  House  of  Refuge  cannot  but  be  considered 
as  a  convincing  proof  of  the  propriety  of  the  regimen 


253 


and  treatment  observed  in  it.  The  Managers  have, 
however,  some  time  during  the  late  year,  felt  much 
solicitude  at  the  existence  in  the  Refuge  of  a  disease 
of  the  eyes,  which  at  one  period  assumed  an  alarming 
aspect.  At  the  commencement  of  1830,  about  thirty 
boys  were  afflicted  with  this  Opthalmia.*  The  at- 
tention of  the  Managers,  and  of  the  Physicians  of  the 
Society,  was  particularly  turned  to  it,  and  a  system 
of  sanitary  regulations,  under  the  advice  of  the  latter, 
adopted,  which  has  been  followed  by  a  reduction  of 
the  number  of  those  affected  by  the  disease  to  four, 
all  of  whom  appear  to  be  on  the  recovery.  In  no  in- 
stance has  the  eye-sight  of  an  individual  been  lost, 
and  the  Managers  now  confidently  anticipate  the 
speedy  extirpation  of  this  disorder  among  the  chil- 
dren. 

The  judicious  management  and  skill  of  Dr.  Power, 
the  Resident  Physician  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  in 
relation  to  this  disease,  have  been  felt  and  apprecia- 
ted by  the  Managers;  and  they  avail  themselves  also, 
of  this  opportunity,  to  renew  to  Doctors  Stearns  and 
Carter,  their  grateful  acknowledgments  for  their 
gratuitous  services,  rendered  in  the  past,  as  during 
the  preceding  year,  with  indefatigable  and  perseve- 
ring attention. 

The  nature  of  the  government  and  discipline  exercised 
over  the  children,  will  perhaps  be  better  illustrated 
by  a  summary  account  of  the  routine  of  a  single  day 
in  the  House  of  Refuge,  than  by  any  other  descrip- 
tion which  it  is  in  the  power  of  the  Managers  to  give. 

At  sun-rise  of  every  day  in  the  year,  a  bell  rings  to 
rouse  the  children.  In  fifteen  minutes  the  cells  are 
opened,  and  each  of  the  children,  having  made  up  his 
own  bed,  and  arranged  his  little  apartment,  steps 
forth  at  a  signal  into  the  Hall.  They  are  then  marched 
in  order  to  the  wash-room,  where  the  utmost  atten- 
tion to  personal  cleanliness  is  required  and  enforced. 
From  the  wash-room,  they  are  called  to  parade  in  the 
open  air  (the  weather  permitting)  when  they  are 
ranged  in  ranks,  and  undergo  a  close  and  critical  in- 


*  As  far  as  it  could  be  traced,  it  was  introduced  into  the  House  by  three  boys, 
\rho  had  been  subject  to  this  distemper  in  the  City  Alms-house. 


254 


spection  as  to  cleanliness  and  dress.  The  Parade 
finished,  they  are  summoned  to  Morning  Prayers. 
These  various  operations  consume  about  a  half-hour; 
and  at  half-past  five  o'clock,  in  the  summer,  the 
Morning  School  commences.  In  school,  they  remain 
till  seven  o'clock,  when  they  are  dismissed  for  a  few 
minutes,  and  until  the  bell  rings  for  breakfast,  which 
consists,  according  to  the  dietary  regulations  of  the 
Managers,  of  bread,  molasses,  and  rye  coffee,  occa- 
sionally varied  by  the  substitution  of  indian  meal  for 
bread,  and  milk  for  coffee.  A  half-hour  is  allowed 
for  breakfast,  at  the  expiration  of  which,  the  signal 
for  labor  is  given,  and  the  children  are  conducted  to 
their  respective  work-shops,  to  remain  there  until 
noon.  By  an  allotment  of  tasks,  however,  these  hours 
of  labor  are  shortened  to  the  industrious.  The  work- 
ing day  for  this  purpose  is  considered  as  commencing 
at  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  a  certain  task, 
proportional  to  his  years  and  capacity,  is  assigned  to 
each  child,  and  if  this  task  is  performed  before  twelve 
o'clock  at  noon  of  the  succeeding  day,  the  child  is  re- 
warded by  the  allowance  for  his  recreation  of  what- 
ever time  he  thus  gains  before  twelve  and  after  eleven 
o'clock,  until  which  hour  all  are  kept  in  the  work- 
shops. The  benefit  of  this  arrangement  is  sensibly 
perceived  upon  the  spirits  and  industry  of  the  boys, 
and  there  are  few  among  them,  who  do  not  thus  gain, 
what  all  but  the  wilfully  idle  are  able  to  gain,  some 
extra  time  for  their  own  amusements. 

At  twelve  o'clock,  a  bell  rings  to  call  all  from  work, 
and  one  hour  is  allowed  for  washing  (which  is  again 
scrupulously  attended  to)  and  dinner.  The  dinner, 
by  the  Managers'  regulations,  consists  [for  five  days  in 
the  week,]  of  nutritious  soups,  meat,  potatoes  and 
bread.  On  Fridays,  fish  is  substituted  for  soup  and 
meat;  and  on  Sunday,  a  dinner  of  Beef  and  a  vegeta- 
ble of  superior  quality  to  those  of  the  other  days  is 
allowed.  At  one  o'clock,  a  signal  is  given  for  recom- 
mencing work,  which  continues  till  five  in  the  after- 
noon, when  the  bell  rings  for  the  termination  of  the 
labor  of  the  day.  A  half-hour  is  allowed  for  wash- 
ing (which  is  once  more  enforced)  and  supper,  con- 
sisting of  mush  and  milk,  molasses  and  rye  coffee.  At 


255 


half-past  five,  the  children  are  conducted  to  their 
Evening  School,  in  which  they  are  kept  till  8  o'clock. 
Evening  prayers  are  now  attended  to  by  the  Superin- 
tendent, and  the  children,  ranged  in  order,  are  then 
marched  to  the  Sleeping  Halls,  where  each  takes 
possession  of  his  separate  apartment,  and  the  cells 
are  locked,  and  silence  is  enforced  for  the  night. 

The  above  is  the  history  of  six  days  of  every  week 
in  this  year,  except  that  during  the  short  winter-days, 
morning  school  is  suspended,  and  the  work-shops  are 
closed  at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  On  Sundays 
labor,  of  course,  ceases,  and  instead  of  the  Morning 
School,  the  time  allotted  on  other  days  for  this  pur- 
pose, is  taken  up  in  the  classification  of  the  children 
according  to  their  conduct  during  the  preceding 
week,  and  the  distribution  of  Badges  of  Merit.  Reli- 
gious Service  is  performed  twice  during  the  day  in  the 
Chapel,  in  the  presence  of  a  Committee  of  the  Mana- 
gers, by  the  clergymen  of  the  city  in  rotation.  In  the 
interval  between  the  church  services,  a  Sunday 
school  is  held  for  the  children ;  and  after  the  Evening 
Service,  they  are  allowed  to  walk  about  the  grounds 
under  the  observation  of  the  officers  until  eight  o'- 
clock. 

The  children  have  been  instructed  during  the  past 
year  by  the  Assistant  Superintendent  of  the  respec- 
tive Houses,  in  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic.  Their 
progress  has  been  on  the  whole  satisfactory ;  but  the 
Managers  have  it  in  contemplation  to  extend  and  im- 
prove the  system  of  instruction.  The  duties  of  the 
Assistant  Superintendent  are  necessarily  varied  and 
pressing,  and  it  is  deemed  advisable  to  appoint  a  well 
qualified  person  to  discharge  the  single  duty  of  in- 
structing and  watching  over  and  promoting  the  moral 
and  religious  improvement  of  the  children. 

The  discipline  exercised  over  the  inmates  of  the 
House  of  Refuge,  is  of  a  mild  and  simple  character. 
The  children  are  divided,  with  reference  to  their 
merit,  into  four  classes,  the  most  worthy  being  placed 
in  class  No.  1.  Each  wears  on  his  arm  a  badge  of 
the  class  to  which  he  belongs.  To  a  station  in  the 
third  class,  is  annexed  a  certain  slight  deprivation  of 
play ;  and  to  the  fourth  class,  which  consists  of  the 


256 


worst  boys,  who  have  been  guilty  of  flagrant  offences 
against  the  rules  of  the  House,  is  attached,  during  the 
first  week,  the  penalty  of  the  third  class,  with  an  ad- 
ditional one,  consisting  of  the  deprivation  of  Sunday 
supper.  A  second  week's  continuance  in  the  fourth 
class,  which  is  the  consequence  of  further  bad  con- 
duct during  the  first  week,  brings  with  it  the  addi- 
tional punishment  of  confinement  after  evening  service 
on  Sunday.  On  the  other  hand,  four  weeks  mainte- 
nance of  a  station  in  class  No.  1,  which  is  the  result  of 
continued  good  conduct  during  this  period,  entitles  a 
boy  to  a  blue  ribbon,  and  certain  slight  but  highly 
appreciated  privileges:  four  weeks  of  further  good 
conduct,  entitles  the  wearer  of  the  blue  ribbon  to  the 
higher  honors  of  the  red  and  blue  : — and  if  after  this, 
he  shall,  without  any  special  limitation  of  time,  prove 
himself  worthy  of  the  confidence  of  the  officers,  he 
receives  the  highest  reward  of  merit  in  the  tri-color 
badge. 

This  simple  system  of  rewards  and  punishments, 
suffices,  in  the  main,  to  preserve  in  contented  and 
cheerful  obedience  the  two  hundred  little  beings  con- 
fided to  our  care.  Cases  however  do  arise,  which 
require  severer  punishments.  Bold  and  daring  at- 
tempts to  escape,  and  rude  and  obstinate  disobedi- 
ence do  occasionally  occur,  when  corporal  punish- 
ment— never  however  of  a  severe  character — and 
solitary  confinement — rarely  of  a  protracted  duration 
— are  found  indispensably  necessary.  The  miscon- 
duct which  renders  necessary  punishments  of  the 
last  description,  is  almost  invariably  committed  by 
those  of  the  youth  who  are  approaching  the  years  of 
manhood.  The  experience  of  our  Institution  fully 
confirms  the  common  opinion,  that  the  hope  of  a  de- 
linquent's reformation  is  inversely  as  his  years ;  and 
that  the  benefit  which  an  offender  of  mature  age  de- 
rives from  the  discipline  of  the  Refuge,  is  greatly 
counterbalanced  by  the  evil  which  he  spreads  around 
him.  It  must  indeed  be  an  obvious  truth,  that  a 
youth  of  either  sex,  who  has  passed  the  years  of  child- 
hood— who  adds  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  vice 
to  the  untutored  passions  of  early  life,  and  who  has 
felt  all  the  attractions,  and  but  slightly  the  bitter  con- 


257 


sequences  of  guilt,  is  not  included  among  those  Juve- 
nile Delinquents,  whom,  it  was  the  design  of  this  In- 
stitution, to  receive,  and  cherish,  and  reform.  The 
means  of  coercion  and  government  possessed  by  the 
House  of  Refuge,  were  intended  moreover  for  chil- 
dren, in  the  ordinary  meaning  of  the  term,  and  not 
for  those  who  in  bodily  strength,  temper,  fixed  habits, 
determination  of  character,  and  every  thing  except 
the  legal  definition  of  infancy,  are  separated  from  this 
class.  It  will  be  remembered,  by  those  who  have  at- 
tended to  the  history  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  that 
some  years  since,  a  desperate  plan  of  escape  was 
formed  and  nearly  executed,  which  cost  the  blood, 
and  almost  the  lives  of  several  of  the  officers.  This 
was  the  work  of  a  boy  of  nineteen  years  of  age.  In 
the  past  year,  several  daring  plans  of  escape  by  vio- 
lent means,  have  been  detected  among  the  older  boys. 
It  is  of  importance  that  these  facts  should  be  under- 
stood and  appreciated  by  the  community,  as,  by  a 
late  statute,  amendatory  of  the  act  incorporating  this 
Society,  every  court  in  the  state  is  empowered  to  send 
to  the  House  of  Refuge,  such  convicted  children  as 
shall  be  deemed  by  them  to  be  proper  objects.  And 
under  this  authority,  the  Managers  are  very  fre- 
quently compelled  to  receive  boys,  sentenced  hither 
by  courts  influenced  by  deceptive  statements  of  the 
ages  of  the  offenders,  or  by  the  suggestion,  as  they 
respectfully  conceive,  of  ill-judging  compassion,  who 
would  have  been  excluded  by  a  due  consideration  of 
the  nature  and  objects  of  this  Society. 

A  statement  of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the 
Society  during  the  past  year,  by  Cornelius  Dubois, 
Esq.  the  Treasurer  of  the  Society,  is  annexed  to  this 
Report. 

Subjoined  to  this  Report,  will  be  also  found  a  few 
histories  of  children  who  have  heretofore  been  under 
our  charge,  and  who  were  indentured  under  our  su- 
pervision. The  selection  is  made  from  a  mass  of 
cases,  perhaps  equally  interesting,  and  could  have 
been  extended  far  beyond  its  present  limits.  In  these 
short  and  simple  annals,  no  attempt  has  been  made 
by  the  Managers  to  alter  or  suppress  the  language  of 
the  communications  of  the  children  whose  cases  are- 
as 


258 


given,  under  the  belief  that  their  own  artless,  if  im- 
perfect narratives,  are  the  best  form  in  which  their 
stories  can  be  presented  to  the  public  eye.  But  in 
histories  of  these  children,  preceding  their  entrance 
into  the  House  of  Refuge,  the  Managers  have  been 
compelled  to  throw  a  veil  over  many  details,  which 
would  have  heightened  the  contrast  of  the  present 
situation  of  these  little  beings,  snatched  from  the 
midst  of  vice  of  the  deepest,  and  in  some  instances, 
most  unnatural  depravity. 

The  Managers  invite  attention  to  the  annual  report 
of  the  Ladies'  Committee,  of  whose  services  to  the  In- 
stitution— particularly  the  Female  Department,  it  i& 
difficult  to  speak  in  terms  of  adequate  commendation, 
and  sufficiently  grateful  acknowledgment. 

In  closing  this  report,  the  Managers  have  only  to 
observe  that  they  are  aware  of  no  circumstances  in 
which  this  Institution  has  failed  to  fulfil  the  wishes  and 
hopes  of  its  Founders  and  Patrons :  and,  on  the  con- 
trary, they  feel  encouraged  by  every  view  of  this  So- 
ciety and  its  effects,  to  persevere  in  their  direction  of 
this  noble  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  community,  to 
stay  the  contagion  of  corrupting  guilt,  and  to  direct 
to  paths  of  virtue  and  peace,  the  footsteps  of  erring 
and  deserted  childhood. 


259 


b 


i^5  ©>© 

3  CD 

CD  ri- 

3  £ 


o  o 

-     s 2 s :Q9 
p  g, 

"  3 

GQ  020*1^0© 

BC       a  - 


-i6 

-3  © 

o  . 

1: 


*  >SS  3 
w  !?  3-  3  3 

o  | 

^   =   ?  = 


-     CD  3 
C.  so 

g  :  3 


02  3  02  ©  „—  3 
O  H.  sf  O  3-' 

1*2  Ep  3| 

o      o  3  o  9 

3  -i  g      ©-  C3 

g02  g  ~  02  © 


O   ©  3j 

J§-.cB 
1^  cf 

^.  3-  p 

on   CD  » 


3   B  -  *T3 

frf 

CD  •  on  • 
S3    '  "  • 

:  w : 

>•  £: 

I. :  "  • 

5'  '  1-3  * 

rt-   .    CD  . 


8 

to  to 

CO 

CD 

Cn 

I-1 

CO 

00 

CD  00 

CO  -I  .ft. 

CO 

OS 

-a 

tO  <0 

O  —  -  r  to  to 

a 

00 

CO 

«c  cr. 

<t  to  Cn  0«  CD 

O 

—  CO 

-  to 

»J  w  Ol 

OXCOCM 

pr©  srM 

3  j-  3  00 

•  g*  S2 

*-  to  — 

C3  CO  C3 


C3  a 


a 


p    50  3 


O  p   p  3-  p  p 
re  EL  ~  o"  2 

£2p"  pj  A  g  © 


c*  e  0  ° 

3  »  3  w 

3  §•§  G 

p  an  ©  3^ 
w  O  PTP 
£  3.0  S3" 

™  31  1 

«  »  SP 

•  pj  CD 

•  Op 


^3 
Hp 

O  3 

2- c 

uS  p5 

"  CD 
CD  3 


■a  3:5 
I  §  12  2  as 

"©  rr.  00      £'  i-3 

I  Ml 


^  © 
»»  p 

CD 


©  . 

3  I 

©  . 

n  : 

CD  • 


C3  ca 

^2  as 
3  3  <-  2. 

IL-^a  ft 


02  2 


c  - .  . 

5  sl  : 


"3  * 

^2  : 

o  3>  . 
a  ©  • 


3 

<s>. 
«?«♦. 

?8 


b 

ta 

Q 

Go 


1-1      tO  tfi.  to  .-> 

©  to  cn  o  o  to 

►u  00  to  O  OO* 

cftj-*jfa  o  o  c 


C5 


§  8 


260 


AIHHBStlDOSo 

REPORT  OF  THE  LADIES'  COMMITTEE. 

To  the  Managers  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  the  Ladies'  Committee 
Report — 

That  since  their  last  Annual  Report,  the  Monthly  Meetings  of 
the  Committee  have  been  regularly  held,  and  a  Sub-Committee  of 
their  number  have  visited  the  House  of  Refuge  at  least  once  in 
each  week  during  the  past  year. 

Minutes  have  been  kept  by  the  Committee  and  Sub-Committees, 
a  summary  of  which  will  be  laid  before  the  Managers ;  and  to  this 
summary  they  refer  them  for  particulars  of  their  proceedings. 

By  a  reference  to  our  Minutes  of  the  past  year,  we  find  general 
satisfaction  is  expressed  with  the  order  and  management  of  the 
House.  We  believe  the  several  Committees  have  endeavored  as 
far  as  they  could,  to  assist  and  advise  with  the  Matron  on  the  ar- 
rangements necessary  for  the  improvement  and  comfort  of  the  fe- 
males committed  to  their  superintendence,  and  to  convince  them 
that  the  path  of  virtue  is  the  only  one  to  happiness,  while  they  ac- 
knowledge the  necessity  of  Divine  agency  to  make  their  counsel 
effectual. 

The  usual  duties  of  washing,  making  and  mending  the  boys'  and 
their  own  clothes  and  bedding,  have  been  accomplished  by  the 
girls  with  general  satisfaction;  which,  together  with  school-exerci- 
ses, family  devotion,  and  moral  and  religious  instruction,  have  fully 
occupied  them ;  and  we  may  notice  an  improvement  in  industry 
and  order,  although  we  have  to  lament  that  we  cannot,  in  every 
case  acknowledge  success.  We  believe,  however,  that  the  past  has 
not  been  a  year  of  particular  discouragement,  but  that  we  have  the 
usual  incitements  to  perseverance,  leaving  consequences  with  Him 
who  alone  can  bless  our  efforts  for  the  amelioration  of  these  chil- 
dren of  sorrow. 

The  Committee  express  their  pleasure  with  the  effort  now  making, 
to  give  our  larger  inmates  a  more  perfect  knowledge  cf  the  taylor- 
ing  business  than  they  have  hitherto  had.  We  have  long  wished 
for  a  more  profitable  application  of  time  for  many  of  them,  than  the 
routine  of  the  family  furnishes.  There  will  always  be  several  of 
them,  who,  from  various  causes,  will  continue  under  our  care  until 
they  are  of  age,  and  we  feel  very  desirous,  that  when  they  leave 
us,  they  may  be  sufficiently  instructed  to  gain  a  respectable  living, 
if  so  disposed,  with  but  little  exposure. 

The  subject  of  classification  has  long  engaged  much  of  our  atten- 
tion, and  we  earnestly  solicit  your  co-operation  with  our  wishes 
on  this  subject.  We  know  that  it  involves  many  difficulties,  but 
not  more  than  you  have  already  encountered  and  successfully 
combated.  We  think  our  usefulness  would  be  much  increased  by 
a  judicious  separation  between  girls  of  sixteen  and  children  of  ten 
years  of  age,  who  are  at  present  promiscuously  instructed ;  the 
former  of  whom  must  naturally  be  older  in  delinquency  than  the 
latter. 

We  have  before  said  to  you,  how  pained  we  frequently  are,  in 


261 


our  walks  through  this  city,  with  the  sight  of  disgusting  pauper- 
ism, which  must  almost  with  certainty  eventuate  in  crime,  if  not 
prevented  by  adequate  care  j  and  we  do  feel  how  much  better  and 
easier  prevention  is  than  reformation.  And  when  we  reflect  that 
almost  one  half  of  our  comfortable  House  is  untenanted,  we  greatly 
desire  for  these  children  of  destruction,  so  safe  and  effectual  a  Re- 
fuge from  contamination  and  suffering. 

We  have  painfully  to  acknowledge,  since  the  date  of  our  last 
Annual  Report,  the  separation,  by  death,  of  our  esteemed  friend, 
Sophia  "WyckofF.  She  is  the  first  so  separated  from  our  Commit- 
tee since  its  formation.  She  was  indeed  one  of  those  who  fed  the 
hungry,  clothed  the  naked,  and  visited  the  sick  and  imprisoned ; 
and  we  humbly  hope  she  has  her  inheritance  with  those  who  are 
blessed  of  God  our  Father.  Her  last  moments  were  consoled  with 
the  belief  that  she  should  be  permitted,  through  the  merits  of  her 
Redeemer,  to  join  the  Heavenly  company  in  praising  and  adoring 
the  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords. 

Before  closing  this  Report,  we  note  with  gratitude,  the  general 
health  of  our  inmates  during  the  past  year,  and  hope,  as  we  perse- 
vere in  attention  to  the  objects  of  the  Institution,  we  shall  be  en- 
couraged by  beholding  future  improvement  amongst  them. 

SARAH  C.  HAWXHURST,  Secretary. 

12th  mo.  (December)  26th,  1831. 

"MM«r 

SELECTIOiV  ©F  CASES  AftD  LETTERS 

From  Apprentices,  and  from  Persons  to  whom  Apprentices 
have  been  bound. 

The  following  cases  were  furnished  by  the  Super- 
intendent. It  is  his  practice  to  write  down  the  history 
of  each  child,  taken  from  his  own  narration,  on  his  ad- 
vent to  the  House.  After  the  lapse  of  some  time,  the 
child  is  re-examined,  and  the  accuracy  of  his  first 
account  is  thus  tested.  In  the  following  cases,  it  will 
be  perceived,  that  the  history  of  the  child,  preceding 
its  entrance  into  the  House  of  Refuge,  consists  of  the 
narrative  thus  taken  down  by  the  Superintendent. 

The  statements,  &c,  following  the  cases  of  the  boys, 
were  also  furnished  by  the  Superintendent. 

BOYS. 

September  17,  1830. 

A.  B.,  from  the  Police,  aged  14  years  the  22d  of  December  last; 
born  in  New-York,  of  Irish  parents.  His  father  is  an  old  porter ; 
he  occasionally  drinks  too  much  ;  then,  the  boy  says  his  father  will 
swear  off  for  a  year  at  a  time,  but  when  the  time  is  past  will  pay  for 
all  in  excess  of  drinking. 

He  has  two  sisters  and  one  brother.  A.  and  one  of  his  sisters 
lived  about  two  years  in  Paterson,  where  he  was  a  good  boy;  but 
his  father  took  him  home  to  go  to  school,  when  he  soon  commen- 


262 


ced  playing  truant  and  going  round  the  markets  (Washington  and 
Fulton)  stealing  fruit. 

He  commenced,  injunction  with  two  others,  stealing  eggs  from 
barrels  standing  by  grocery  stores,  in  which  they  were  very  suc- 
cessful, and  one  would  pass  and  take  a  handful,  and  another  would 
receive  them  at  a  convenient  place,  and  sell  them  to  a  woman  who 

keeps  a  victualing  stand,  by  the  name  of  ,  who  gave  them 

one  shilling  for  eighteen  eggs.  This  woman  would  give  them  three 
shillings  per  piece  for  smoked  beef,  and  from  four  to  eight  shillings 
for  hams  by  the  lump;  these  articles,  this  boy  and  his  companions 
were  very  successful  in  stealing.  He  stole  hats  occasionally,  some- 
times they  stole  cocoa-nuts  from  stands  and  vessels,  lead  frequently, 
and  sometimes  old  rope ;  but  his  associates  told  him  that  was  too 
low,  that  he  could  make  more  at  more  honorable  stealing.  He 
once  stole  an  umbrella  in  Maiden-lane,  once  he  stole  from  the  pocket 
of  a  drunken  man  three  shillings,  and  at  another  time  one  shilling 
and  eleven-pence  from  a  money  drawer  in  Hudson-street. 

He  was  very  successful  in  selling  stolen  handkerchiefs  about  the 
markets :  they  frequently  stole  clothes  when  they  would  be  out  to 
dry.  A.  was  in  the  act  of  stealing  a  pair  of  pantaloons  from  a 
yard  near  the  white  fort,  North  River,  when  he  was  detected,  taken 
and  sent  here.  He  would  be  frequently  away  from  home,  first  one 
night,  then  a  week  and  three  weeks  at  a  time,  sleeping  in  shavings 
in  new  buildings,  lumber  yards,  &c. 

He  and  his  companions  had  curious  names  for  different  articles 
that  they  stole,  so  as  not  to  be  understood  by  honest  men :  for  in- 
stance, smoked  beef  or  hams  were  smokers,  hats  cadies,  shoes  and 
boots  crabs,  handkerchiefs  wipers,  vests  garvises,  trowsers  kickers, 
watches  thimbles,  shirts  and  other  articles  taken  from  yards  were 
gooseberries  ;  when  they  proposed  to  plan  to  get  articles  of  this 
kind,  they  would  say  we  will  go  a  gooseberrying;  crockery  and 
glass  from  crates  would  be  tapping  crates,  a  trunk  they  called 
Peter. 

They  often  deposited  their  goods  in  lumber  yards  and  slept  in 
them.    He  often  went  to  the  Theatre. 

By  the  above,  we  see  that  this  unfortunate,  interesting  boy,  had 
learned  many  lessons  in  one  year,  and  was  in  the  broad  road  to 
destruction.  On  re-examination,  the  boy  thinks  it  likely  that  he 
stole  many  other  things;  that  he  cannot  remember  all.  Enters  6th 
class — could  not  read  in  the  New  Testament. 

September  27th,  1831.— He  was  indentured  to  Mr.  V.  D.,  Prin- 
ter, of  -. 

It  was  a  matter  of  much  pleasure  to  the  Managers,  to  witness 
the  great  improvement  in  this  boy,  snatched  from  the  haunts  of 
vice,  rapidly  running  into  such  crimes  as  must,  had  there  not  been 
a  House  of  Refuge,  have  soon  added  to  the  number  in  our  Peniten- 
tiary or  State*s  Prison.  The  moral  influence  used  in  our  Institu- 
tion, had  a  visible  effect  upon  his  mind,  and  by  degrees  he  became 
a  good  boy.  He  selected  such  company  as  prided  themselves  in 
doing  as  well  as  they  knew  how :  and  before  he  left  the  House,  ar- 
rived to  the  highest  grade  of  the  Class  of  Honor. 

It  will  be  observed,  that  when  he  came  here,  he  could  not  read 
intelligibly  the  New  Testament ;  but  to  show  his  advancement,  we 
will  here  insert  a  letter  from  his  master,  relative  to  the  boy. 


263 


JV  ,  Nov.  14,  1831. 

N.  C.  Hart, 

Dear  Sir, — You  no  doubt  wonder  at  my  silence  with  respect 
to  the  boy  A.  B.  I  did  expect  to  have  visited  you  ere  this,  or  1 
should  certainly  have  answered  yours  of  the  26th  October,  previ- 
ous to  this  time  :  with  respect  to  him,  I  have  the  satisfaction  to 
inform  you,  and  the  rest  of  his  friends,  that  his  conduct,  so  far, 
has  proved  entirely  satisfactory.  He  is  obedient,  active,  willing, 
and  very  apt,  and  appears  to  do  everything  that  he  is  requested  to, 
with  cheerfulness.  Considering  the  time  he  has  been  with  us,  he 
has  made  very  great  progress,  certainly  more  than  we  did  expect 
of  him  ;  although  he  has  not  been  with  us  two  months  yet,  he  can 
set  very  near  a  column  of  our  paper  per  day,  which,  I  am  proud  to 
say,  I  consider  rather  extraordinary.  He  appears  to  be  perfectly 
satisfied  with  his  situation,  and  says  he  has  no  desire  to  associate 
with  his  former  street  companions.  I  have  no  doubt,  sir,  he  wili 
prove  an  honor  to  your  house  and  to  himself. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir, 

Yours,  Respectfully, 

J.  V.  D  . 

July  15,  1830. 

C.  D.,  from  the  Police,  aged  15  years  the  9th  of  May,  last;  born 
in  Ireland,  his  father  is  a  stone  cutter  by  trade,  and  carries  on  the 

business  in  ,  keeps  journeymen  and  apprentices,  at  which 

business  he  put  this  boy,  but  he  would  not  work  with  his  father. 
Said  that  he  first  began  to  run  away  from  home  about  five  years 
ago  ;  would  be  absent  from  one  week  to  a  month  at  a  time,  sleeping 
in  stables,  &c. — would  steal  old  rope,  copper,  iron,  lead,  &c. :  in 
fact,  almost  any  thing  that  he  could  lay  his  hands  upon :  frequently 
was  very  successful  in  stealing  old  copper  from  the  Dry  Dock;  not 
uncommon  to  make  six  shillings  per  day.  Says  the  opportunities 
for  stealing  old  copper  at  the  Dry  Dock,  make  many  boys  thieves. 
He  stole  money  several  times  from  his  father,  from  two  shillings  to 
two  dollars  at  a  time ;  sometimes  would  go  over  to  Long  Island 
and  pick  peas,  &c.  He  contracted  an  ardent  thirst  for  rum,  which 
was  to  him  a  serious  harm. 

He  states,  as  one  reason  why  his  home  was  disagreeable  to  him, 
that  his  father  drank  hard,  and  would  often  go  home  intoxicated, 
quarrel  with  his  mother,  and  raise  mobs  about  the  house. 

He  used  to  find  market  for  his  stolen  goods  at  ,  in  . 

street.  After  an  absence  of  three  weeks,  his  father  discovered  where 
he  was,  had  him  taken  up  and  sent  here. 

C.  D.  entered  the  7th  Class — that  is,  could  read  moderately  in 
the  New  Testament. 

After  he  had  been  here  a  few  months,  the  Superintendent  made 
the  following  written  remarks  to  his  history,  which  is  his  custom  to 
do  to  every  case  occasionally,  as  their  cases  may  be. 

44  C.  D.has  a  good  deal  of  natural  cleverness  about  him,  we  are 
sometimes  almost  ready  to  confide  in  him,  but  fear  his  habits  have 
been  so  long  badly  fixed,  as  to  require  a  longer  probation." 

However,  a  mason  by  trade,  who  was  represented  to  be  a  reli- 
gious man,  wanted  an  apprentice,  and  it  was  thought  as  he  had 
some  knowledge  of  stone  cutting,  it  would  be  to  hi3  advantage  to 


264 


put  him  to  this  business,  he  was  selected  for  that  purpose — when 
called  to  converse  with  the  gentleman  and  to  ascertain  whether  he 
would  be  pleased  to  go  with  him  and  learn  the  Mason's  trade,  (as 
the  Managers  are  careful  never  to  compel  a  child  to  go  with  any 
person,  nor  to  any  trade  contrary  to  their  wishes,)  his  first  remark 
was  that  he  would  be  willing  to  go  providing  liquor  could  be  kept 
from  him;  that  being  easily  disposed  of,  he  was  indentured  accor- 
dingly, and  in  rather  less  than  a  year  after  he  came  to  the  house. 
It  appears  that  his  Master  last  summer  built  a  large  stone  House  for 
M.  in  Connecticut,  brother  to  one  of  our  Managers,  who  wrote  to 
him  recently,  "we  have  so  far  progressed  towards  finishing  the 
"house,  and  not  a  drop  of  ardent  spirits  has  been  used  by  any  of 
"  the  workmen,  but  we  have  been  greatly  favored  with  the  out 
"pouring  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,"  enumerating  how  many  of  his 
workmen  and  neighbors  had  become  the  subjects  of  grace,  he  says 
"  C.  D.  is  one  of  the  members,  *and  his  light  shines  daily,  his  de- 
portment corresponds  with  his  profession,  he  is  a  fine  boy,  has 
"joined  a  Christian  Church,  and  is  much  beloved." 

August  18,  1829. 

E.  F.,  from  the  Police,  aged  he  says  16  years,  but  we  judge  14 
the  4th  of  July  last,  born  in  Ireland,  his  father  sells  potatoes,  clams, 
&c.  his  parents  both  drink,  but  his  mother  is  very  intemperate,  his 
father  (the  boy  says)  used  to  beat  him  very  unmercifully,  for  being 
a  bad  boy,  he  often  ran  away  from  home,  once  he  was  absent  15 
months  in  different  parts  of  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Paterson, 
Lehigh  <fcc.  used  to  steal  different  articles  from  his  father  and  oth- 
ers, would  often  sleep  out  nights,  would  drink  very  hard,  often  get 

very  drunk,  a  few  days  since  in  company  with  went  into 

a  house  while  selling  clams,  saw  a  man  lying  drunk,  they  conclu- 
ded to  sound  him,  and  stole  a  Pocket  Book  containing  six  dollars, 
but  were  so  profuse  in  spending  it  in  the  [neighborhood  that  it  led 
to  their  detection.  He  was  in  the  practice  of  driving  a  Horse  and 
Cart  or  Wagon  to  sell  the  above  articles,  consequently  could  get 
as  much  rum  as  he  wanted,  often  drank  10  and  12  glasses  per  day. 
Entered  8thjclass. 

We  find  that  after  he  had  been  here  about  5  months,  the  Super- 
intendent remarked  under  his  history  that  E.  improved,  and  had 
become  a  boy  that  afforded  some  promise,  and  professed  to  have 
lost  his  desire  for  ardent  spirits,  but  to  the  regret  of  all  concerned, 
he  was  persuaded  some  time  after  to  unite  with  two  larger  boys  in 
making  arrangements  to  escape,  in  which  he  was  detected ;  this, 
connected  with  his  former  very  intemperate  habits,  caused  the 
Managers  to  think  it  best  to  give  him  a  long  probation  before  they 
parted  with  him.  For  several  months  before  they  parted  with  him, 
he  evinced  a  uniform,  industrious,  moral  course,  showing  much 
contrition  for  his  errors;  consequently  after  remaining  in  the 

House  about  20  months  M.  of  made  application  for  a  boy 

as  an  apprentice  to  the  shoe-making  business.  The  indenturing 
Committee  made  thorough  investigation  as  to  the  character  of  the 
man,  his  family,  &c.  They  were  not  only  satisfied  that  M.  was 
a  very  suitable  man  to  have  an  apprentice,  but  that  all  his  appren- 
tices had  joined  the  Temperate  Society,  in  the  place  where  he 
lived,  as  well  as  their  Master,  and  were  suitably  zealous  in  this 


265 


good  cause,  consequently  they  thought  this  a  very  suitable  place 
for  the  boy  who  was  formerly  in  the  practice  of  drinking  10  and 
12  glasses  per  day. 

Some  months  after  M.  called  and  informed  the  gentleman  who 
furnished  him  with  the  boy,  that  E.  was  a  very  fine  youth,  moral, 
modest,  sober  and  industrious,  and  that  he  had  frequently  sent  him 
to  collect  money,  and  had  never  discovered  any  thing  improper  in 
his  apprentice,  that  he  attended  Sabbath  School,  &c.  and  was  so 
much  pleased  with  him,  that  he  would  be  glad  to  have  another  from 
the  Institution. 

Oct.  21,  1830. 

G.  H.  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  10  years  the  4th  of  July 
last,  born  in  Philadelphia  of  Irish  parents,  his  mother  .died  about 
5  years  ago,  and  his  father  a  shoe-maker,  died  about  4  or  5  months 
since,  he  then  was  left  in  charge  of  his  step-mother.  It  appears 
that  when  his  friends  made  application  to  the  Commissioners  to 
have  him  sent  here,  they  represented  him  to  be  a  disobedient  bad 
boy,  running  about  the  streets,  playing  truant  from  school,  sleep- 
ing out  at  night,  going  with  bad  boys,  who  would  occasionally 
steal  &c.  they  sent  him  here. 

On  examining  the  boy  himself,  he  says  that  he  ran  away  because 
his  step  mother  beat  him,  he  would  sleep  almost  any  where,  when 
night  overtook  him,  in  sand  and  coal  boxes,  &c.  then  up  in  the 
morning,  away  to  the  Dry-Dock,  steal  copper,  or  any  thing  that  he 
could  get,  and  when  he  could  not  supply  the  calls  of  nature  by 
stealing,  then  he  would  beg.    Entered  the  7th  class. 

The  following  remark  was  made  by  the  Superintendent  some 
months  after  he  had  been  in  the  house,  under  the  head  of  remarks 
on  the  page  of  his  history*  , 

G.,  is  a  bright,  intelligent,  interesting,  little  fellow,  and  we  set 
much  store  by  him. 

On  the  6th  of  Oct.  1331.  He  was  indentured  to  Mr.  J.  D.  of 
 town  County,  State  of  New  York. 

Since  which  the  following  letter  has  been  received  from  the  boy 
in  his  own  hand  writing : 

Nov.  24,  1831. 

Dear  Sir, — I  with  pleasure  inform  you  that  I  am  in  good  health, 
and  like  my  master  and  mistress  well.  They  are  very  kind  to  me. 
We  have  every  day  something  that  is  good.  He  has  given  me  two 
suits  of  clothes.  I  have  a  good  bed  to  sleep  in :  but  he  is  very 
angry  if  I  tell  him  a  crooked  story.  He  has  once  boxed  my  ears 
for  telling  him  that  I  had  watered  his  horse,  when  I  had  not  water- 
ed him.  I  drive  the  horse  for  him  when  he  goes  abroad  with  his 
one  horse  wagon ;  then  my  fingers  got  cold,  but  now  I  have  got  a 
new  pair  of  mittens  to  keep  my  hands  warm.  I  have  learned  the 
printed  instructions  you  gave  me  by  heart,  and  I  intend  to  follow 
them,  for  my  master  has  promised  me  that  if  I  be  a  good  boy,  he 
will  be  a  good  master,  if  I  be  a  bad  boy  he  will  be  a  hard  master. 
But  I  choose  the  good  part.  I  intend,  as  much  as  in  me  lies,  to 
follow  your  good  advice,  for  which  I  kindly  thank  you.  I  am  go- 
ing to  school  on  Monday  next.    Our  school  house  is  near  by. 

I  remain  your  obedient  boy,        G.  H* 

To  Nathaniel  C.  Hart. 

34 


266 


Jan.  8,  1831— J.  J.  K.r  from  the  Police,  aged  13  years,  the  29  th 
of  August  last,  bom  in  New-York,  of  American  parents.  His  fa- 
ther was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  died  6  or  7  years  ago  ;  after  which 
his  mother  took  in  sewing  and  washing,  but  she  died  about  three 
years  ago.    Since  which  time  he  has  been  principally  under  the 

care  of  his  uncles  residing  in  .    He  once  lived  with  

who  keeps  stages,  &c.  at  ,  returned  to  his  uncle  in  

and  went  to  school,  rendering  assistance  as  the  cases  required. 
Last  February,  being  a  tolerable  scholar,  he,  by  the  influence  of 

Mr.   ,  got  a  situation  with  Mr.   ,  where  he  remained 

some  months,  and  he  thinks  gave  satisfaction.  Would  often  have 
several  thousand  dollars  given  him  to  deposit  in  the  bank,  or  pay 
away.  His  aunt,  with  whom  he  boarded,  was  very  strict  with 
him,  allowing  him  but  20  minutes  to  be  at  her  house  after  he  shut 
up  his  office  at  3  o'clock.    Towards  the  close  of  July,  the  boy 

took  a  notion  to  go  to   after  he  closed  his  office — did  not 

return  until  6  o'clock  in  the  evening — his  aunt  scolded  him  very 
hard,  and  gave  him  to  understand  that  he  might  clear  out,  and  go 
about  his  business,  and  let  his  uncles  take  care  of  him,  if  he  was 
running  there,  neglecting  to  come  home  at  the  appointed  time. 
He  felt  rather  dissatisfied  with  the  reception  he  met  with,  a»nd  left 
his  aunt  the  next  morning.  It  appears  that  his  wages  were  drawn 
by  his  aunt  to  pay  board,  &c. ;  there  being  $17  due,  he  forged  an 

order  for  $10  of  it,  and  ran  away.    Went  to  ,  worked  a 

little  while  in  one  place,  and  then  to  another ;  was  doing  very 
poorly :  shunned  his  relatives,  and  was  doubtless  in  the  broad  way 
to  destruction,  when  they  interfered,  and  had  him  taken  before 
the  authorities,  and  sent  here. — Entered  the  9th  class. 

He  was  indentured,  the  27th  of  September  last,  to  Mr. 
of  Co.  Conn.  Shoe-maker,    The  following  letter  was  re- 
cently received  from  him. 

 .Conn.,  Bee.  12,  1831. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  C.  Hart, — I  take  my  pen  in  hand  to  inform  you 
that  I  am  well,  and  hope  these  few  lines  will  find  you  the  same. 
I  have  got  a  good  place,  and  am  doing  well.  I  am  going  to  school 
at  present  to  a  good  man.  I  am  used  well,  and  have  every  advan- 
tage that  can  be  wished  for.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  my 
sister  before  I  left  New-York.  I  also  had  a  meeting  with  my  old 
school-master  at  Wilton,  who  has  often  given  me  good  advice ; 
and  if  I  had  taken  it,  I  should  never  have  been  in  the  House  of 
Refuge.  But  I  feel  it  a  blessing  that  I  have  seen  the  House  of 
Refuge.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  good  instructions  I  have  received 
there,  I  might  long  ago  been  ruined.  My  eyes  got  well  in  about 
three  days,  so  that  I  could  work  as  well  as  ever,  by  washing  them 
morning  and  evening  in  eye  water  procured  by  Mr.  

I  like  the  country,  and  enjoy  liberty  with  thanks,  and  with 
pleasure,  and  thank  you  and  Mr.  Roe  for  the  good  instructions 
which  I  have  received  from  you  both :  though  I  confess  with 
shame  and  with  sorrow,  that  I  did  not  deserve  it  as  well  as  I  ought 
to  have  done.  I  am  now  at  work  a  little,  closing  shoes  at  night 
and  go  to  school  in  the  day  time.  Give  my  respects  to  Mr.  Mon- 
mouth 13.  Hart,  Mr.  Roe,  and  Mr.  Joseph  Belden,  when  you  see 


267 


him  again.  Tell  G.  D.  that  I  hope  he  will  conduct  himself  so  that 
I  may  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him  at  liberty. 

Please  send  me  an  answer  as  soon  as  you  get  this  letter. 
I  am  your  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

I.  J.  K. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  David  Terry,  jun.  to  one  of  his 
friends  in  this  city. 
"  Please  tell  Mr.  Hart,  that  E.  F.  and  G.  H.  are  living  on  the 
circuit  that  I  travel.  I  saw  E.  F.  with  his  master ;  he  was  dressed 
like  a  gentleman.  G.  H.  "  is  all  alive  in  religion,  and  I  understand 
is  very  gifted — that  is,  he  exhibits  superior  talents  for  a  boy  of 
his  years,"  &c. 

This  boy  was  brought  up  in  one  of  the  most  dissolute  parts 
of  our  city,  (the  Five  Points.)  His  mother  kept  a  brothel :  the  child 
of  course  was  suffered  to  run  about  the  streets  without  restraint. 
Being  very  active,  with  rather  a  winning  address,  and  withal  cun- 
ning, he  became  the  successful  leader  of  a  little  band  of  thieves* 
From  this  deplorable  condition  he  was  rescued,  and  placed  in  the 
House  of  Refuge.  On  the  12th  of  March,  1829,  it  pleased  the 
Lord,  by  the  influence  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year,  to  cause  a  considerable  religious  excitement  among  the  chil- 
dren ;  and  although  but  between  13  and  14  years  of  age,  he  was 
one  of  the  number  that  gave  the  strongest  evidences  of  a  happy 
change  by  grace. 

Notwithstanding  we  loved  the  boy,  we  deemed  it  most  prudent, 
in  consequence  of  his  past  life,  to  give  him  a  good  probation;  and 
after  remaining  in  the  House  better  than  a  year,  an  opportunity 
offered  to  bind  him  to  a  pious  man,  which  was  embraced.  During 
the  20  months  that  he  has  been  absent  from  us,  we  have  occasion- 
ally heard  verbally  that  G.  H.  was  doing  well,  but  had  heard  no- 
thing particularly  as  to  his  religious  state  of  feeling,  before  we 
saw  the  above  letter. 

April  23,  1829. — M.  N.  from  the  Commissioners  of  the  Alms* 
House,  aged  12  years  the  4th  of  July  last.  Born  of  American  pa- 
rents, at  ,  Long  Island.    His  father,  ,  moved  to  this 

city  about  five  years  ago,  and  drives  a  cart.  Resides  in  — 
street,  No.   . 

This  boy  has  been  sent  to  different  schools,  but  would  stay  at 
none.  Was  a  notorious  truant ;  running  about,  he  said,  every 
where  ;  would  sleep  out  at  night,  in  stables,  &c.  to  avoid  his  father 
and  others.  Would  watch  the  opportunity,  when  his  father  would 
be  gone  to  work,  to  go  home  and  get  something  to  eat,  as  his 
mother  never  punished  him,  and  then  would  clear  out  again ;  has 
picked  old  copper  on  shares  for  three  days  together,  would  some- 
times take  his  pockets  full  of  copper  nails,  has  often  stolen  old 
iron  and  rope  from  about  the  docks;  he  once  stole  two  dollars  from 
his  sister,  that  she  had  earned  at  sewing,  spent  it  for  toys,  going 
to  the  Theatre  and  Circus,  where  he  often  went.  Entered  5th 
Class. 

For  a  year  or  more,  this  boy  evinced  a  most  unyielding  stubborn 
temper,  was  naturally  smart,  but  would  get  in  his  ugly  turns  occa- 
sionally, and  we  became  almost,  discouraged  with  him,  but  during 
the  second  year  of  his  stay  with  us,  I  can  compare  his  change  to 
nothing  so  striking,  as  that  witnessed  when  the  sun  breaks  through 


268 


a  motley  flying  cloud;  he  became  kind,  industrious,  pleasant  and 
contented,  and  while  we  write,  we  can  bring  before  us  the  cheerful 
smile  often  discovered  by  him. 

April  26,  1331.    After  remaining  in  the  House  three  days  over 

two  years,  he  was  indentured  to  ,  of  ,  farmer,  leaving 

us  with  a  Bible  under  his  arm,  and  capable  of  writing  a  letter  to  his 
friends,  who  in  a  few  months  became  very  anxious  to  hear  from 
M.  We  wrote  to  his  master,  desiring  that  his  apprentice  might 
write  to  his  family,  &c. 

The  following  was  copied  from  his  own  hand  writing,  and  child- 
like composition. 

  Town,  Sept.  24,  1831. 

Dear  sister  Armenia, — I  send  my  respects  to  you,  I  am  well,  and 
hope  that  you  are  enjoying  the  same  health,  I  should  be  glad  to  see 
you  all,  I  have  neglected  writing,  I  have  been  pretty  busy  in  work- 
ing in  the  fields  this  summer,  picking  fruit,  and  busying  myself 
with  some  oats,  &c.  M.,  the  man  I  live  with,  has  six  girls,  and  no 
boys,  but  myself,  and  a  little  boy  of  his  brother's  ;  I  feel  quite  con- 
tented, I  live  about  two  miles  from  T.  B.  and  frequently  see  him  ; 
give  my  respects  to  father,  mother,  and  the  rest  of  my  friends,  give 
my  love  to  Mr.  Hart,  and  Mr.  Roe.  M.  N. 

The  following  was  written  by  his  master,  at  the  bottom  of  the 
game  letter. 

This  may  certify,  that  M.  is  a  good  boy,  and  merits  the  love  and 
good  will  of  his  employer,  and  all  that  are  acquainted  writh  him; 
he  has  been  very  steady  at  his  work,  I  have  not  had  occasion  to 
speak  a  short  word  to  him  since  he  has  lived  with  me,  he  appears 
to  be  well  suited,  and  we  are  all  much  pleased  with  him. 

Yours  with  respect, 

J.  S. 

GIRLS. 

March  18,  1829. 

N.  0.,  from  the  Commissioners,  aged  12  years  the  3d  of  May 
last,  born  in  Ireland,  her  father  and  family  moved  to  America  seven 
years  ago.  He  took  to  drink  in  Eastport  about  five  years  since — 
brought  his  family  to  disgrace  and  poverty  :  went  to  dig  on  the 
canal  about  twenty  months  or  two  years  ago,  when  a  bank  of  earth 
caved  on  him,  and  he  lost  his  life. 

This  child,  I  should  judge  a  fair  subject  for  reformation ;  she  is 
very  candid  and  frank,  says  she  was  a  good  girl  until  she  became 
acquainted  with  W.  X.,  about  sixteen  months  ago.  She  then  was 
led  to  run  about  the  streets  and  market  places,  until  a  late  hour  at 
night,  use  profane  language,  &c.  Would  leave  her  places  of  ser- 
vice, and  be  impudent  to  her  poor  mother,  who  has  to  labor  for  her 
support.    Enters  8th  class. 

REMARKS. 

January  11,1 830.—  N.  is  a  stout,  able-bodied  girl,  with  a  strong 
temper,  inclined  to  be  impudent,  but  on  the  whole  is  governable. 

Perhaps  we  never  had  a  child  in  the  House  possessing  such  a 
Herculean  mind  as  this  girl.  After  she  became  somewhat  settled 
in  the  course  of  her  duties,  there  being  opportunities  for  every 
child  to  read  and  study  the  scriptures,  she  gave  her  attention  to  it, 
and  recited  regularly  to  the  Ladies'  Committee  every  wreek,  from 


269 


150  to  190  verses  of  the  New-Testament.  Here  we  would  remark 
that  some  would  be  ready  to  judge,  that  it  might  be  in  certain  parts 
where  she  had  previously  studied ;  but  this  was  not  the  case,  she 
would  go  on  with  one  gospel  or  epistle  after  another  in  regular  ro- 
tation. 

After  remaining  nearly  17  months,  she  was  indentured  to  Mr. 

— — ,  of  ,  a  farmer. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  N.  to  the  Matron. 

U.  Co.,  Oct.  20,  1831. 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Oram, 

Dear  Madam, — I  take  this  favorable  opportunity  to  inform 
you  that  I  am  well,  and  hope  you  enjoy  the  same  blessing.    I  am 

much  pleased  with  my  situation.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  are  very 

kind  to  me,  and  I  am  very  well  satisfied.  When  I  first  came,  I  felt 
very  lonesome,  but  however,  I  soon  got  over  that.  It  is  a  very 
handsome  country,  and  to  use  my  own  language,  it  is  a  charming 
place. 

I  saw  the  gentleman  on  board  the  boat,  to  whom  W.  was  inden- 
tured ;  he  says  that  they  have  no  fault  to  find  with  her,  only  she 
has  no  pride  about  herself,  and  has  not  ambition  enough  to  make 
her  own  linen ;  otherwise  she  does  very  well.  He  says  she  has 
no  inclination  whatever  to  come  back. 

I  should  like  to  hear  from  you  and  Miss  Oram,  also  Miss 
Nichols. 

I  go  across  the  creek  every  Sunday  to  school,  and  like  it  very 
well.  I  have  learned  how  to  milk  since  I  have  been  here, — Suckey 
is  the  name  of  the  cow  that  I  sometimes  milk,  and  Flora  is  her 
calf's  name.  I  have  now  seven  geese  to  make  as  fat  as  butter. 
We  have  a  sow  with  eight  pretty  little  pigs. 

Please  give  my  love  to  Eliza  Thompson,  and  tell  her  I  wish  she 
would  write,  and  let  me  know  how  she  is.  Please  give  my  love 
to  Miss  Nichols  and  all  the  girls. 

I  remain  your  Refuge  Girl, 

N.  O. 

Please  favor  me  with  an  answer. 

April  26,  1826. 

W.  X.,  from  the  Police,  aged  14  years  the  5th  of  February  last, 
born  in  Philadelphia,  of  Irish  parents  ;  about  9  years  ago  the  family 
move.d  to  New-York.  Her  mother  died  about  three  years  ago, 
since  which  her  father  married  a  woman  who  proved  to  be  in  the 
daily  practice  of  drinking  to  intoxication,  since  which  the  family 
appeared  to  go  to  destruction  with  rapid  strides:  her  father  became 
intemperate,  and  substituted  habits  .of  industry,  for  drinking  and 
stealing,  and  when  under  such  influence  led  his  poor  children  to 
the  same  practices,  the  step-mother  not  being  backward  to  do  her 
part  in  these  vile  practices.  The  father  and  eldest  son  were  taken 
up  for  stealing,  and  put  in  Bridewell  to  await  their  trial.  The  fa- 
ther found  guilty  of  grand  larceny,  and  the  son  sent  to  the  House 
of  Refuge,  (N.  Y.)  During  this  time  the  mother  was  in  the  con- 
tinual practice  of  drinking,  and  took  her  poor  child  to  market  and 
required  her  to  steal  two  heads  of  cabbage,  they  were  directly  ta- 
ken up  and  sent  to  Bridewell.  The  subject  of  my  story  was  sent 
to  the  House  of  Refuge,  which  proved  a  home  to  her,  and  a  happy 
escape  from  wretchedness  and  bad  example ;  she  would  no  doubt 


270 


from  constant  example,  if  she  had  been  permitted  to  remain  with 
her  parents,  have  become  fixed  in  habits  of  intemperance  and  dis- 
honesty ;  she  however  showed  that  she  only  wanted  good  precept 
and  example  to  make  her  a  good  and  pious  girl. 

In  consequence  of  a  feeble  state  of  health,  she  was  not  inden- 
tured when  she  was  considered  in  a  suitable  state  of  mind  to  part 
with,  in  1828.  While  in  the  House  she  professed  to  meet  with  a 
happy  change  of  mind,  and  indeed  her  deportment  while  she  re- 
mained with  us,  spake  loudly  of  the  religion  she  professed  ;  she 
was  very  trusty,  and  acted  more  like  a  matron  as  to  womanly  de- 
portment, and  the  discharge  of  the  trust  committed  to  her,  than 
like  a  Refuge  Girl ;  an  opportunity  offered  to  put  her  in  a  situa- 
tion suitable  to  her  state  of  health  at  the  south.  Such  has  been 
her  correct  deportment  since  she  left,  that  increased  confidence  is 
placed  in  her  as  to  unvarying  integrity,  and  she  now  receives  a 
salary  for  certain  duties  in  a  Public  Institution  of  much  respecta- 
bility. 


Extract  from  the  Weekly  Report  of  the  Superintendent,  to  the  Act- 
ing Committee,  showing  the  number  of  children  in  the  House  in 
each  week. 


1831. 

No.  of  Children 
in  the  House. 

1831. 

No.  ofChildre 
in  the  House 

January, 

4 

180 

July, 

5 

184 

IC 

11 

179 

44 

12 

185 

H 

18 

179 

II 

18 

189 

44 

25 

181 

44 

26 

189 

February, 

1 

188 

August, 

2 

187 

u 

8 

185 

44 

9 

189 

M 

15 

189 

44* 

16 

193 

II 

22 

191 

44 

23 

196 

March, 

1 

193 

44 

30 

200 

u 

8 

194 

September, 

6 

200 

II 

15 

195 

44 

13 

205 

44 

22 

191 

44 

20 

205 

44 

29 

189 

44 

27 

208 

April, 

5 

189 

October, 

4 

208 

t< 

12 

184 

44 

11 

202 

II 

19 

182 

44 

18 

203 

44 

26 

178 

44 

25 

198 

May, 

3 

174 

November, 

1 

197 

II 

10 

176 

44 

8 

100 

u 

17 

177 

4. 

15 

191 

(1 

24 

178 

44 

22 

191 

u 

31 

177 

44 

29 

195 

June, 

7 

178 

December, 

6 

193 

ii 

14 

179 

44 

13 

194 

ii 

21 

183 

44 

20 

197 

44 

28 

184 

44 

January, 

27 
2 

198 
182 

271 


WORK  DONE  BY  THE  BOYS. 

BRUSH  MANUFACTORY. 

600  dozen  Shoe  Brushes. 
120  dozen  Scrubbing  Brushes. 
400  dozen  Hair  Brushes. 
300  dozen  Cloth  Brushes. 

70  dozen  Horse  Brushes. 

30  dozen  Hat  Brushes. 

30  dozen  Flesh  Brushes. 
6  dozen  Nail  Brushes. 

5  dozen  Table  Brushes. 

1200  pound  Bristles,  assorted  and  combed. 
900  pound  Bristles  picked. 
800  pound  Bristles  washed  and  bleached. 
600  dozen  Shoe  Brushes  finished. 
120  dozen  Scrubbing  Brushes  finished. 
400  dozen  Hair  Brushes  finished. 
300  dozen  Cloth  Brushes  finished. 

70  dozen  Horse  Brushes  finished. 

30  dozen  Hat  Brushes  finished. 

30  dozen  Flesh  Brushes  finished. 

6  dozen  Nail  Brushes  finished. 
5  dozen  Table  Brushes  finished. 

CABINET  SHOP. 

675  Bedsteads  made, 
75  Pine  Tables  made, 
25  Cherry  Tables  made, 
50  Wash  Stands  made. 

jeweller's  shop. 
1680  dozen  pairs  of  Black  Bead  Ear  Rings  or  drops, 
20  dozen  Safety  Chains. 

CANE  CHAIR  BOTTOM  MANUFACTORY. 

Cane  Chair  Bottoms  or  Seats  made  as  follows  : 

67  dozen  plain  or  thin  Maple  Seats, 
536  dozen  plain  solid  front  do. 

165  dozen  curled  maple,  do.  do. 
18  dozen  sewing  chair  do. 

3J  dozen  curled  maple  raised  back  do. 
48i  dozen  curled  maple  box  seats, 

1   dozen  seats  and  backs  caned  for  large  arm  chairs, 
22   dozen  small  seats  for  children, 

5   dozen  old  chairs  re-bottomed, 
53   dozen  stools  for  steam  boats, 

1    dozen  counter  stools, 
14  oval  stools  for  Piano  Forte  seats, 
32  dozen  frames  for  thin  seats,  made  for  shipping, 

9  dozen  birds  eye  solid  front  seats, 

68  settee  bottoms, 

Making  916  doz.  seats  made  complete,  besides  the  settees,  old 
chairs,  &c. 

18000  pounds  rattan  knotted  and  scoured, 
1800  pounds  of  cane  dressed  fit  for  seats, 


272 


The  frames  of  the  seats  are  cut  from  rough  plank  and  boards — 
made  and  polished  complete  by  the  children.  Also,  the  rattan  as 
imported,  cleansed,  split  and  dressed  by  do. 

SHOE  SHOP. 

About  400  pairs  new  shoes,  for  both  houses.  A  large  number  of 
do.  mended. 

Boys  do  all  their  own  cooking. 

SCHOOL  REPORT. 

[From  the  Superintendent^ 

In  consequence  of  sickness,  &c.  it  has  been  necessary  to  make 
a  change  in  our  Teachers  during  the  past  year,  which  has  prevented 
my  receiving  a  correct  account  of  the  promotions  from  the  school 
department  for  the  whole  year  ;  therefore,  that  you  may  judge  of 
the  present  rapid  improvement  of  our  well  organized  school,  I  shall 
only  give  you  an  exhibit  of  the  advances  of  the  children  for  the 
last  three  months  in  their  various  departments. 

In  Spelling  and  Reading  there  have  been  promoted 
From  1st  to  2d  class,   Boys'  department,  2 


"  2d  to  3d  class,  "  "  9 

"  3d  to  4th  class,  "  «•  20 

"  4th  to  5  th  class,  "  "  31 

"  5th  to  6th  class,  "  "  38 

"  6th  to  7th  class,  "  «  30 

"  7th  to  8th  class,  "  "  32 

"  8th  to  9th  class,  "  "  22 


It  will  be  understood  that  those  who  enter  the  1st  class  do  not 
know  their  letters,  &c. ;  the  9th  class  are  understood  to  be  those 
who  read  with  much  ease,  and  a  good  degree  of  elegance. 

PROMOTIONS  IN  ARITHMETIC. 

From  Addition  to  Subtraction,  *  53 

"  Subtraction  to  Multiplication,          -  43 

"  Multiplication  to  short  and  long  division,  39 

"  Division  to  the  Compound  Rules,    -  25 

"  The  Compound  Rules  to  Reduction,  3 

"  Reduction  to  the  Rule  of  Three,     -  2 

"  The  Rule  of  Three  to  Interest,       -  2 

There  are  now  139  boys  in  the  School.  All  write  on  Slates,  45 
on  Paper, 

In  looking  over  the  Girls'  School,  I  find  seven  now  in  the  House 
that  have  been  received  during  the  last  year,  who  could  not  read 
when  they  came  here,  but  who  can  now  read  the  Scriptures,  and 
write  a  fair  hand. 

There  are  43  Girls  in  the  House ;  18  of  that  number  write  on  pa- 
per. The  girls  have  been  taught  by  the  Assistant  Matron  for  about 
nine  months  past. 


273 


ARTICLES  MADE  BY  GIRLS  IN  1831. 

[Furnished  by  the  Matron."] 

Chemises,         -       -        75  Spreads  made  and  quilted,  18 

Shirts       -       -       -       439  Stockings  run,  (pair)      •>  311 

Pantaloons,       -       -       511  Stockings  knit,       "       -  10 

Roundabouts  Jackets,        307  Stockings  footed,    "       -  16 

Petticoats,  -  29  Carpeting  made,  (yards)  243^ 
Frocks,                           116  Silk  Shades  for  Eye  Infirmary,  60 

Bed  Ticks,        -       -  .      68  Waistcoats  for  girls,-       -  30 

Brown  Rollers,  -                56  White  Vandikes,     -  7 

Brown  Aprons,         -         54  Bed  Gowns  for  Hospital,  2 

Sheets  for  cells,  -       -       117  Nightcaps,  50 

ARTICLES  MENDED. 

Shirts,        -       -       -    2350    Blankets        ...  98 

Pantaloons,  -  -  1359  Bed  Ticks,  58 
Chemises,  -  -  57  Pieces  Washed,  -  52,000 
Stockings,  (pair)        -  1222 


35 


274 


Officers  of  the  Society* 

STEPHEN  ALLEN,  President. 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS, 
JOHN  GRISCOM, 
HENRY  L  WYCKOFF,  . 
JAMES  LOVETT, 
PETER  SHARPE, 
HUGH  MAXWELL, 
CORNELIUS  DUBOIS,  Treasurer. 
FREDERICK  SHELDON,  Secretary. 
JOHN  STEARNS,  M.  D. 
GALEN  CARTER,  M.  D. 


Physicians  and  Surgeons. 


Indenturing'  Committee. 

ROBERT  C,  CORNELL, 
WILLIAM  F,  MOTT, 
HEMAN  AVERILL. 

Acting  Committee. 

JAMES  LOVETT, 
WILLIAM  KENT, 
FREDERICK  A.  TRACY, 
JACOB  DRAKE, 
JOHN  HUNTER, 
WILLIAM  W.  FOX, 
P.  R.  STARR. 


Managers. 

Stephen  Allen,      James  Lovett, 
Heman  Averill,      Rufus  L.  Lord, 
Robert  C.  Cornell,William  F.  Mott, 
Cornelius  Dubois,  Hugh  Maxwell, 


Jacob  Drake, 
William  W.  Fox, 
John  Griscom, 
John  Hunter, 
Jacob  Harvey, 
William  Kent, 


Dennis  M'Carthy, 
Russel  H.  Nevins, 
Ralph  Olmsted, 
Nath'l  Richards, 
Fred'k  Sheldon, 
Peter  Sharpe, 


John  Stearns, 
P.  R.  Starr, 
William  L.  Stonf* 
Frederick  A.  Tracy, 
M.  Van  Schaick, 
Henry  I.  Wyckoff, 
John  W.  Wyman, 
Robert  D.  Weeks, 
Silas  Brown, 
B.  L.  Woolley. 


Ladies'  Committee. 

Ann  L.  Mott, 
Rebecca  M'Comb, 
Esther  Seymour, 
Martha  Willis, 
Ann  Warner, 
Eliza  Tomlinson, 
Sarah  Lavender. 


Isabella  Buloid, 
Margaret  Beers, 
Almy  Cornell, 
Deborah  L.  Embree, 
Charlotte  L.  Fox, 
Maria  L.  Hyde, 
Sarah  C.  Hawxhurst, 
Phebe  Mott, 

House  of  Refuge. 

NATHANIEL  C.  HART,  Superintendent 
W.  SAMPSON,  Assistant  Superintendent. 
REBECCA  ORAM,  Matron. 
CLARISSA  NICHOLS,  Assistant  Matron. 
MONMOUTH  B.  HART,  Teacher. 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  GOVERNMENT 
OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE, 

Requisites  which  the  House  of  Refuge  possesses  for  the  Reforma- 
tion of  Juvenile  Delinquents. 

1.  The  Means  of  Security.  6.  Allowance  of  Food  and 

2.  Inspection.  Clothing, 

3.  Classification.  7.  Space  for  Exercise  con- 

4.  Constant  Employment.  ducive  to  Health. 

5.  Religious  and  Moral  In-  8.  Separation  of  the  Sexes. 

struction.  9.  Attendance  upon  the  Sick. 

The  introduction  oflaborinto  the  House  of  Refuge 
will  be  regarded  principally  with  reference  to  the 
moral  benefits,  and  not  merely  to  the  profits,  to  be 
derived  from  it. 

Preference  will  be  given  to  those  trades,  the  knowl- 
edge of  which  may  enable  the  delinquents  to  earn  their 
subsistence,  on  their  discharge  from  the  House. 

LABOR. 

The  Children  shall  be  employed  every  day  in  the 
year,  except  Sundays,  at  such  labor,  business,  or  em- 
ployment, as  may  from  time  to  time  be  designated  by 
the  Acting  Committee ;  and,  in  order  that  the  chil- 
dren may  be  properly  instructed  in  the  Arts  or  Trades 
at  which  they  may  be  employed,  the  Superintendent 
shall,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Acting  Committee, 
engage  as  Assistant  Keepers,  persons  who  are  prop- 
erly qualified  to  give  such  instruction. 

A  LIST  OF  EMPLOYMENTS  AT  PRESENT  CARRIED  ON  IN  THB 
HOUSE  OF  REFUGE. 
BOYS.  GIRLS. 


Cutting  out  and  Making  Wear- 
ing Apparel  for  Boys  and  Girls. 

Washing,  Ironing,  and  Mend- 
ing for  Boys  and  Girls. 

Plain  Cooking,  and  House  Work 
generally. 


Tailoring. 
Shoe  Making. 
Brush  Making. 
Basket  Work  on  Bottles,  S$c. 
Brass  Nail  Making  and  Plait 

ing. 
Box  Making. 
Chair  Making. 
Turning. 

These  may  be  increased  or  changed  for  other  em- 
ployments, as  circumstances  may  require  and  the 
Committee  direct. 


276 


FOOD. 

The  Children  shall  be  fed  with  a  sufficient  quantity 
of  coarse,  but  wholesome  Food,  and  in  conformity 
with  a  Dietary  to  be  established  by  the  Acting  Com- 
mittee. 

The  greatest  economy  and  plainness  shall  be  used 
in  furnishing  food  for  the  children.  The  Superinten- 
dent shall  inspect  every  article,  and  take  care  that 
nothing  unsound  be  admitted  into  the  House,  and  that 
the  contracts  made  for  its  supply  are  fairly  executed. 

CLOTHING. 

The  Children  shall  be  clothed  in  coarse,  but  com- 
fortable apparel,  of  the  cheapest  and  most  durable 
kind.  The  cloth  to  be  of  a  uniform  color,  and  the 
clothes  of  the  same  cut  or  fashion.  All  the  clothes, 
garments,  shoes,  &c.  must,  if  practicable,  be  made  on 
the  premises,  and  by  the  children. 

FEMALES  AND  MATRON. 

The  Females  shall  eat  their  meals  and  lodge  in  sep- 
arate apartments  from  the  males,  with  whom  they  shall 
have  no  intercourse  or  communication. 

The  Females  shall  be  placed  under  the  immediate 
care  and  superintendence  of  a  Matron  or  Female 
Keeper,  who  shall  reside  in  the  House,  and  shall  at 
no  time  absent  herself  from  the  premises,  without  the 
permission  of  the  Acting  or  Visiting  Committee. 

None  but  the  Matron  shall  search  or  examine  the 
Female  Delinquents.  She  shall  superintend  their 
work,  and  take  charge  of  their  clothes  and  bedding. 
She  shall  accompany  the  Superintendent  or  Physician, 
whenever  it  may  be  necessary  for  either  of  them  to 
visit  the  apartments  of  the  Females.  She  shall  en- 
deavor to  unfold  to  those  under  her  charge,  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  moral  and  religious  life,  and  to  impress 
them  with  a  conviction  of  the  evils  and  miseries  that 
attend  the  wicked  and  profligate.  She  shall,  at  the 
season  set  apart  for  the  purpose,  teach  them  the  rudi- 
ments of  education,  and  instruct  them  in  the  business 
of  Housewifery,  &c.  She  shall  be  authorized  to  pun- 
ish them  for  offences  against  the  rules  of  the  House, 
or  for  indecorum  in  their  behavior  towards  herself  or 


277 


one  another,  and  she  shall  regularly  report  to  the  Su- 
perintendent such  matters  relative  to  their  deport- 
ment and  conduct,  and  the  punishment  she  has  inflict- 
ed, with  the  nature  of  the  offence  committed,  as  will 
be  proper  for  him  to  lay  before  the  Acting  Committee. 

No  female  subject  shall  pass  out  of  the  female  yard 
or  house,  into  the  public  yard  or  any  of  the  adjoin- 
ing tenements,  upon  any  pretext  whatever.  And  no 
boy,  except  the  messenger,  specially  approved  of  by 
the  Visiting  Committee,  shall  go  into  the  female  house 
or  yard,  except  to  attend  Divine  Service  on  Sunday, 
or  unless  he  is  accompanied  by  an  officer  of  the  Insti- 
tution. 

PUNISHMENTS. 

If  any  child  shall  refuse  or  wilfully  neglect  to  per- 
form the  work  required  of  him  or  her,  or  to  obey  the 
orders  of  the  Superintendent  or  Assistant  Keeper  or 
Keepers,  or  shall  use  profane  or  indecent  language, 
or  shall  assault  or  quarrel  with  a  fellow  delinquent, 
or  shall  make  a  noise  or  talk  after  having  retired  to 
the  sleeping  room,  he  or  she  shall  be  punished  at  a 
suitable  time;  and  if,  after  this,  such  child  persist  in 
disobedience,  he  or  she  shall  be  confined  in  solitude 
for  such  time  as  the  Superintendent  may  direct. 

If  any  child  shall  strike  or  resist  the  Keeper,  or  at- 
tempt to  escape  from  the  House,  or  shall  wilfully  injure 
any  article  belonging  to  the  Society,  he  or  she  shall 
be  punished. 

The  Superintendent  shall  possess  a  discretionary 
power  in  awarding  the  punishment  to  offenders;  but 
this  must  be  exercised  with  great  caution  and  judg- 
ment, and  never  under  the  influence  of  passion.  He 
shall  in  all  cases  enter  on  the  daily  Journal,  and  re- 
port to  the  Acting  Committee,  a  brief  detail  of  the  of- 
fence, and  the  punishment  inflicted  for  the  same. 

If  it  should  ever  be  necessary  to  inflict  corporal 
punishment  upon  females,  it  shall  only  be  done  by  or 
in  the  presence  of  the  Matron. 

KINDS  OF  PUNISHMENTS  THAT  MAY  BE  USED  IN  THE  HOUSE 

OF  REFUGE. 

1.  Privation  of  play  and  exercise. 

2.  Sent  to  bed  supperless  at  sunset. 


278 


3.  Bread  and  water,  for  breakfast,  dinner,  and  sup- 
per. 

4.  Gruel  without  salt,  for  breakfast,  dinner  and  sup- 
per. 

5.  Camomile,  boneset,  or  bitter  herb  tea,  for  break- 
fast, dinner,  and  supper. 

6.  Confinement  in  solitary  cells. 

7.  Corporal  punishment,  if  absolutely  necessary. 

8.  Fetters  and  handcuffs,  only  in  extreme  cases, 

WARDSMEN  OR  MONITORS. 

The  Superintendent  may,  whenever  in  his  opinion 
it  shall  be  useful,  appoint  for  each  ten  or  more  chil- 
dren, one  of  the  delinquents  as  Wardsman  or  Monitor, 
who  shall  be  selected  from  the  most  orderly,  well  be- 
haved, and  best  qualified  for  the  purpose. 

The  general  duty  of  the  Wardsmen  shall  be,  to  ob- 
serve the  behavior  and  conduct  of  their  respective 
classes ;  to  see  that  they  daily  wash  their  persons : 
that  their  sleeping  and  work  rooms  are  regularly 
swept  every  morning,  and  washed  or  scrubbed  once 
in  each  week;  that  the  rooms  and  bedding  be  venti- 
lated and  aired,  and  the  night  utensils  removed  and 
cleansed;  and  that  decency  and  good  order  prevail 
throughout  the  class. 

The  Wardsman  shall  be  authorised  to  select  from 
his  class,  in  rotation,  one  of  the  number  to  perform 
the  duty  of  sweeping,  scrubbing,  &c.  and  it  shall  be 
an  offence  against  the  rules,  for  any  of  the  class  to 
disobey  the  reasonable  commands  of  the  Wardsman. 
He  shall  report  to  the  Superintendent  any  improper 
act  committed  by  a  member  of  his  class  immediately 
after  its  occurrence,  in  order  that  it  may  be  corrected 
forthwith. 

ARRANGEMENT   OF  TIME. 

A  bell  shall  be  rung  every  morning  one  quarter  of 
an  hour  before  the  unlocking  of  the  lodging  rooms, 
and  also  at  the  hour  of  unlocking,  when  every  child 
shall  be  prepared  to  leave  his  room,  in  order  to  wash 
&c.  previous  to  going  to  work. 

The  time  of  beginning  and  leaving  off  work,  of  eat- 
ing breakfast,  dinner,  and  supper,  of  attending  school, 
and  of  retiring  to  sleep,  shall  be  in  conformity  with 


279 


a  table  prepared  by  the  Acting  Committee,  and  each 
time  shall  be  designated  by  the  ringing  of  the  bell/as 
the  Superintendent  may  direct. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

The  Boys  and  Girls  shall  be  classed  according  to 
their  moral  conduct,  and  as  soon  as  practicable  there 
shall  be  four  grades  of  classes  formed,  viz:  Nos. 
1,  2,  3,  4. 

Class  No.  1,  shall  include  the  best  behaved  and 
most  orderly  Boys  and  Girls:  those  who  do  not  swear, 
lie,  or  use  profane,  obscene,  or  indecent  language  or 
conversation,  who  attend  to  their  work  and  studies, 
are  not  quarrelsome,  and  have  not  attempted  to  es- 
cape. 

Class  No.  2.  Those  who  are  next  best,  but  who 
are  not  quite  free  from  all  the  foregoing  vices  and 
practices. 

Class  No.  3.  Those  who  are  more  immoral  in  con- 
duct than  Class  No.  2. 

Class  No.  4.  Those  who  are  vicious,  bad,  and 
wicked. 

Badges  bearing  the  number  of  each  class,  shall  be 
worn  on  the  arm,  at  all  times  in  the  day. 

In  case  of  improper  and  bad  conduct,  the  children 
in  Classes,  Nos.  1,  2,  or  3,  shall  be  transferred  or  de- 
graded by  the  Superintendent  to  the  lower  or  lowest 
Class.  And  for  improvement,  or  good  conduct,  in 
Classes  4,  3,  or  2,  they  may  be  transferred  or  promo- 
ted to  a  higher  class. 

The  children  in  Class  No.  1,  who  behave  well,  and 
are  orderly  and  correct  in  their  conduct,  may  be  re- 
warded by  the  Superintendent,  in  the  presence  of  all 
the  children,  and  of  the  Acting  Committee. 

Those  children  who  have  behaved  well  for  three 
months  in  succession,  shall  be  allowed  to  wear  a 
badge  of  distinction  and  approbation. 

SUPERINTENDENT  AND  KEEPER. 

The  Superintendent  and  Keeper  shall  have  the 
general  superintendence  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  and 
shall  carry  into  effect  all  the  rules  and  regulations 
adopted  by  the  Acting  Committee  for  its  management 
and  government. 


280 


He  shall  keep  a  register  of  every  child  committed 
to  his  custody,  the  name,  age,  and  description  of  per- 
son;  when  received,  by  whom  committed,  on  what 
charge,  in  what  part  of  the  House  confined,  when 
discharged,  and  such  other  remarks  as  may  be  prop- 
er and  useful,  including  a  brief  historical  sketch. 

He  shall  keep  a  regular  aud  separate  account  of 
the  expense  incurred  for  the  keeping  of  the  children 
placed  under  his  charge,  with  every  item  properly 
designated;  also,  an  inventory  of  the  whole  personal 
property  within  the  House  belonging  to  the  Society, 
and  the  manner  in  which  the  same  may  have  been 
disposed  of,  to  be  submitted  to  the  Acting  Committee, 
every  half  year,  or  oftener  if  required. 

He  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  events  worthy  of 
note,  that  may  occur  daily  during  the  recess  of  the 
Committee,  and  submit  the  same  for  inspection  at 
every  meeting. 

He  shall  daily  inspect  every  part  of  the  House  and 
premises  in  person,  and  shall  not  absent  himself  from 
the  establishment  for  a  night  without  permission  from 
the  Acting  or  Visiting  Committee. 

He  shall  exercise  the  authority  delegated  to  him 
with  firmness,  moderation  and  discretion  :  but  in  or- 
der that  the  certainty  of  punishment  may  deter  from 
a  repetition  of  offence,  he  shall  permit  no  offence 
against  the  rules  to  pass  without  some  punishment. 

He  shall,  under  the  instruction  of  the  Acting  Com- 
mittee, procure  the  necessary  supplies  for  the  House, 
and  purchase  such  materials  as  may  be  necessary  and 
indispensable  for  the  employment  of  the  children; 
and  he  shall  dispose  of  such  manufactured  articles, 
as  the  Committee,  may  direct,  and  credit  the  Society 
for  all  receipts  from  such  sales. 

By  the  direction  and  sanction  of  the  Committee,  he 
may  contract  with  mechanics  or  others  for  the  ser- 
vices of  the  children  under  his  charge,  or  any  number 
of  them,  to  be  employed  within  the  walls  of  the  es- 
tablishment, at  such  business  as  may  be  mutually  ap- 
proved by  the  parties. 

He  shall  allow  none  of  the  children  to  be  absent 
from  the  premises,  without  special  permission  in  wri- 
ting first  obtained  from  the  Committee  for  that  pur- 
pose 


281 


He  shall  have  the  uncontrolled  direction  of  the 
Matron  and  Assistant  Keeper  or  Keepers,  in  all  mat- 
ters relative  to  carrying  into  effect  the  rules,  regula- 
tions, and  discipline  of  the  House;  and  he  shall  be 
responsible  for  their  acts  and  conduct  while  on  the 
premises,  and  in  the  employ  of  the  Society. 

The  Superintendent  shall  render  quarterly  to  the 
Acting  Committee,  a  detailed  account  of  receipts  and 
expenditures  on  account  of  the  House  of  Refuge. 

TEACHER  AND  ASSISTANT  KEEPERS. 

The  Matron  and  Assistant  Keeper  or  Keepers 
shall  conduct  themselves  in  strict  conformity  with  the 
rules  of  the  Establishment;  they  are  to  receive  their 
orders  from  the  Superintendent,  and  to  obey  his  di- 
rections. They  shall  not  absent  themselves  from  the 
House,  without  the  leave  of  their  principal. 

ACTING  COMMITTEE. 

The  Board  of  Managers,  shall  choose,  from  their 
own  number,  an  Acting  Committee  consisting  of  seven 
members  ;  one  of  whom  shall  go  out  of  office  monthly, 
and  a  new  member  be  chosen  to  supply  his  place. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  meet  four  times  a 
month,  for  the  transaction  of  business,  once  at  the 
House  and  three  times  in  town. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  appoint  a  sub-commit- 
tee of  two,  to  visit  the  House  of  Refuge  weekly,  one 
of  whom  shall  retire  each  month,  and  a  new  one  be 
appointed.  The  visiting  committee  shall  record  in  a 
book,  to  be  submitted  to  the  Acting  Committee,  such 
observations  on  the  cleanliness  of  the  House,  and  the 
conduct  of  the  officers  and  children,  as  may  seem  to 
them  proper.  From  these  records,  summary  minutes 
shall  be  made  by  the  Acting  Committee,  and  laid  be- 
fore the  stated  meetings  of  the  Managers. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  be  empowered  to  ap- 
point a  temporary  Assistant  or  Assistants,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  instructing  the  children  in  the  House  of  Ref- 
uge in  any  work,  manufacture,  or  useful  employment, 
which  they  may  deem  expedient  to  introduce  into 
the  House. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  be  authorised  to  en- 

36 


282 


ier  into  such  contracts,  as  they  may  think  proper, 
with  any  person, for  the  employment  of  the  children 
in  any  work,  manufacture  or  trade. 

The  Acting  Committee  shall  appoint  in  rotation, 
one  of  its  number,  to  attend  at  religious  service  in 
the  chapel  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  on  Sundays.  The 
person  appointed,  shall  furnish  a  substitute  from  the 
Board  of  Managers  in  case  of  unavoidable  absence. 

Whenever  any  work  above  the  value  of  five  dol- 
lars is  authorised  to  be  done  at  the  House  of  Refuge, 
when  any  of  the  boys  or  girls  are  put  to  labour  at  a 
stipulated  price,  or  when  a  Superintendent,  matron 
or  other  officer  or  servant  of  the  House  is  hired,  or  a 
collector  employed,  contracts  in  writing  shall  be 
made  by  the  Visiting  Committee,  with  the  party  or 
parties  respectively,  which  contracts  shall  be  copied 
by  the  Superintendent  into  the  contract  book,  kept 
at  the  House  for  that  purpose,  and  delivered  by  him 
to  the  Acting  Committee  at  their  next  meeting. 

ladies'  committee. 

The  Managers  will  annually  appoint  a  Committee 
of  thirteen  Ladies,  to  visit  the  Female  Delinquents. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Matron  to  attend  upon  the 
Ladies'  Committee,  to  afford  them  every  facility  in 
their  investigations,  and  give  them  all  the  informa- 
tion she  possesses  respecting  the  conduct  of  the  fe- 
male house,  the  clothing  and  property  belonging  to  it, 
the  character  and  conduct  of  the  girls,  their  profi- 
ciency in  learning  and  good  manners,  and  generally 
to  advise  and  confer  with  the  Ladies,  relative  to  the 
affairs  and  management  of  this  Department. 

The  Committee  of  Ladies  will  visit  the  House  of 
Refuge  monthly,  and  they  will  appoint  in  rotation  a 
sub-committee  of  two  of  their  number  to  visit  it  once 
in  each  week,  to  inspect  the  Female  Department,  to 
excite  in  the  girls  a  sense  of  virtue  and  piety,  to  in- 
culcate habits  of  industry,  cleanliness,  and  strict  at- 
tention to  the  directions  of  the  Matron  and  the  rules 
of  the  House,  and  to  reward  those  who  shall  distin- 
guish themselves  for  industry  and  good  conduct. 

Minutes  will  be  kept  by  the  general  and  visiting 
committee,  in  a  book,  provided  for  that  purpose,  in 


283 


which  they  will  note  the  order,  cleanliness,  and  im- 
provement of  the  girls,  and  make  such  suggestions 
and  remarks  as  they  may  deem  proper  and  useful. 
These  minutes  will  be  read  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Acting  Committee,  and  a  summary  of  them  also  at  the 
stated  meetings  of  the  Managers. 

Should  vacancies  occur  in  this  Committee  by  death 
or  resignation,  the  Committee  may  appoint  such  La- 
dies as  they  shall  have  previously  ascertained  will, 
if  elected,  attend  to  the  important  duties  devolving 
on  them. 

The  Committee  of  Ladies,  will  recommend  to  the 
Superintendent,  the  most  suitable  materials  of  cloth- 
ing for  the  male  delinquents,  and  he  will  confer  with 
them  on  the  subject,  when  new  clothing  is  required 
for  the  use  of  the  male  Refuge. 

They  shall  be  empowered  to  purchase  or  procure, 
or  may  recommend  to  the  Acting  Committee,  the 
most  suitable  clothing  for  the  female  Delinquents. 

The  Committee  of  Ladies  will  report  to  the  Super- 
intendent, for  the  use  of  the  Indenturing  Committee, 
such  girls  as  may  be  tit  to  be  bound  out.  In  any  other 
emergency,  the  Ladies  will  report  to  the  Acting  Com- 
mittee. 

INDENTURING  COMMITTEE. 

The  Board  of  Managers  shall  annually  choose  from 
their  own  body  an  Indenturing  Committee,  to  consist 
of  three  persons,  who  shall  be  (ex-officio)  members  of 
the  Acting  Committee. 

The  Indenturing  Committee  shall  meet  weekly  at 
the  House  of  Refuge,  they  shall  keep  regular  minutes 
of  the  business  transacted  by  them,  and  shall  monthly 
report  to  the  Board  of  Managers  a  detailed  state- 
ment of  the  number  of  children  indentured,  to  whom 
indentured,  place  of  residence,  and  references,  and 
such  other  information,  connected  with  their  duty,  as 
they  may  consider  expedient  and  proper. 

The  Indenturing  Committee  shall  examine  into  the 
character  and  qualifications  of  the  children,  and  at 
proper  times  endeavor  to  procure  for  them  suitable 
places,  as  apprentices,  to  mechanics,  manufacturers, 
and  farmers,  and  as  domestics,  and  in  some  cases  as 
mariners. 


284 


The  Committee  shall  obtain  the  best  information 
practicable  of  the  fitness  of  applicants  to  have  chil- 
dren indentured  to  them,  and  when  satisfied  on  this 
important  head,  they  shall  give  permission  in  writing 
to  the  Superintendent  to  have  the  indentures  execu- 
ted, and  deliver  the  child. 

No  child  shall  be  indentured-in  the  city,  or  delive- 
red up  to  its  parents  or  guardians,  without  the  consent 
of  the  Acting  Committee. 

When  any  boy  is  to  be  indentured  as  a  mariner  or 
for  the  sea  service,  the  consent  of  his  parent  or  guar- 
dian, if  he  has  any,  shall  first  be  obtained,  if  practica- 
ble, by  the  Indenturing  Committee. 

The  Superintendent  shall  present  all  written  appli- 
cations for  apprentices  and  servants  to  the  Indentur- 
ing Committee,  by  whom  they  shall  be  approved  be- 
fore they  are  granted ;  and  no  child  shall  be  put  to 
service  out  of  the  House,  unless  under  regular  inden- 
tures from  the  Society. 

A  Bible  and  printed  paper  of  advice  relative  to  his 
or  her  future  conduct,  shall  be  given  to  each  delin- 
quent when  so  apprenticed. 

The  term  of  the  apprenticeship  of  the  Girls  shall 
not  extend  beyond  the  age  of  18  years ;  they  shall  not 
be  apprenticed  to  unmarried  men,  nor  placed  in  board- 
ing-houses, or  academies  for  boys. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Superintendent,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Indenturing  Committee,  to  corres- 
pond, as. often  as  they  may  think  necessary,  with  those 
to  whom  children  have  been  indentured,  to  ascertain 
the  general  character  and  conduct  of  the  child. 

DIVINE  SERVICE. 

Divine  Service  shall  commence  in  the  Chapel,  on 
the  Sabbath  at  half  past  ten  in  the  morning,  and  from 
the  1st  of  March  to  the  1st  of  November,  at  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  from  the  1st  of  Novem- 
ber to  the  1st  of  March,  at  half  past  two  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon;  and  may  be  continued  for  one  hour  and  a 
half  each. 

There  shall  be  no  meetings  held  at  any  other  time 
or  place,  experience  having  shewn  that  many  of  the 
children  are  unfit  to  attend,  after  their  daily  schooling 
and  labor  are  finished. 


285 


Respectable  visitors  and  the  neighboring  families, 
may  be  admitted  to  attend  religious  service  in  the 
Chapel,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Superintendent  and 
upon  his  responsibility,  but  they  are  not  to  be  suffered 
to  remain  on  the  premises,  or  to  talk  to  the  children, 
or  have  any  intercourse  with  them.  It  is  made  the 
duty  of  the  Superintendent  to  publish  this  rule  to  the 
audience,  as  often  as  may  be  necessary. 

No  person  shall  be  allowed  to  address  the  children 
at  the  meetings  for  worship,  without  the  permission  of 
the  Superintendent  or  the  Committee  in  Attendance. 

GENERAL  REGULATIONS. 

No  spirituous  liquors  shall,  upon  any  pretence  what- 
ever, (excepting  by  order  of  the  Physicians,)  be 
brought  into  any  part  of  the  premises  of  the  House  of 
Refuge. 

No  species  of  gambling,  nor  of  plays  or  games  hav- 
ing a  tendency  thereto,  shall  be  permitted  at  the  House 
of  Refuge. 

The  wall,  and  ceilings  of  the  wards,  cells,  rooms, 
and  passages,  used  by  the  delinquents  throughout  the 
House  of  Refuge,  shall  be  white-washed  and  thor- 
oughly cleaned  at  least  twice  in  each  year;  which 
work  shall  be  done  by  the  delinquents,  except  on  par- 
ticular emergencies. 

Every  morning  the  day-rooms,  work-rooms,  passa- 
ges and  cells  shall  be  swept;  the  pans  emptied,  the 
dirt  and  ashes,  and  all  filth  and  rubbish  collected  in 
the  yard,  removed  to  the  place  appropriated  for  the 
same.  The  day-rooms,  working-rooms  and  sleeping 
cells,  shall  be  washed  once  a  week,  or  oftener  if  re- 
quisite. The  doors  of  all  the  sleeping  cells,  and  also 
the  windows,  when  the  weather  will  permit,  shall  be 
kept  open  during  the  day. 

The  bedding  of  the  House  shall  be  hung  up  to  air, 
whenever  the  Superintendent  shall  require  it.  The 
straw  in  the  Mattresses  shall  be  changed,  and  the 
corn-husk  Mattresses  scalded  and  washed  as  often  as 
*  the  Physicians  may  think  proper.  The  blankets  and 
coverlets  shall  be  washed,  at  least  once  in  three 
months,  and  in  all  cases  clean  bedding  shall  be  pro- 
vided for  every  new  delinquent. 


286 


No  delinquent  of  any  description  shall,  on  any  ac- 
count whatever,  be  confined  in  any  apartment  under 
ground,  or  where  there  is  not  sufficient  light  and  ven- 
tilation. 

Every  delinquent,  seized  with  any  disorder,  shall 
be  forthwith  removed  to  the  Infirmary ;  and  in  case 
of  any  putrid  or  infectious  disorder,  to  the  Fever  Ward 
therein.  The  cell,  from  which  he  or  she  was  taken, 
shall  immediately  after  such  removal,  be  cleansed, 
fumigated,  and  white-washed. 

Bibles  and  Testaments,  and  such  elementary  books 
as  may  be  thought  necessary,  shall  be  provided  for 
the  use  of  the  children,  to  be  distributed  among  them, 
at  the  discretion  of  the  Acting  Committee. 

The  admission  of  visitors  during  the  week,  shall  be 
restricted  to  Wednesdays  and  Fridays,  excepting 
strangers,  not  residing  in  the  city,  and  persons  accom- 
panied by  or  having  a  written  permission  from  a  man- 
ager. 

Parents  and  guardians  shall  be  permitted  into  the 
Refuge,  to  see  their  children,  once  in  three  months, 
upon  the  days  appointed,  under  the  inspection  of  the 
Superintendent  and  Teacher,  and  their  visits  shall  be 
confined  to  the  hours  between  12  and  4  o'clock. 

The  Superintendent  shall  make  weekly  reports  of 
the  sums  he  receives  from  the  contractors  for  the  la- 
bor of  the  boys,  together  with  the  balances  due,  and 
the  names  of  those  contractors  who  do  not  pay  every 
Saturday. 

The  Superintendent  shall  pay  over  to  the  Treasurer, 
at  least  once  a  month,  all  the  monies  he  receives  be- 
longing to  the  House. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Visiting  Committee  to  call 
upon  the  contractors,  whenever  it  may  be  necessary, 
and  to  see  that  they  pay  with  punctuality. 

Not  less  than  from  three  to  four  hours  shall  be  de- 
voted to  the  literary  instruction  of  the  subjects  of  the 
Refuge.  The  Superintendent  shall  report  the  hours 
of  employ,  every  month,  so  that  new  arrangements  may 
be  made  by  the  Acting  Committee  to  suit  the  chang- 
ing seasons. 

No  boy  or  girl  shall  be  permitted  to  receive  money 
or  presents  of  any  kind,  while  a  subject  of  the  Refuge. 


287 


The  Superintendent  shall  keep  a  notice  of  this  regula- 
tion, on  the  boj  s'  house  and  the  gate,  for  the  govern- 
ment of  parents  and  visitors. 

As  no  person  can  be  received  into  the  premises 
who  is  not  engaged  under  contract,  or  committed  ac- 
cording to  law,  it  is  made  the  duty  of  the  Superinten- 
dent to  report  the  name  of  any  person  or  persons, 
male  or  female,  who  shall  have  staid  in  the  Refuge  du- 
ring the  week,  or  any  day  or  night  of  the  week  prece- 
ding his  report.  And  the  Acting  Committee  shall  take 
cognizance  of  the  case  without  delay. 

The  gate-keeper  shall  not  admit  any  person,  with- 
out permission  of  the  Superintendent,  or  by  his  ex- 
press orders,  unless  he  bears  a  permit  from,  or  is  in- 
troduced by,  a  manager.  Any  violation  of  this  rule 
shall  be  reported  to  the  Acting  Committee,  and  will 
subject  the  gate-keeper  to  immediate  dismission. 

The  person  who  may  be  appointed  collector  to  the 
House,  shall  once  a  month  furnish  the  Treasurer  with 
a  list  of  the  subscribers  and  donors,  from  whom  collec- 
tions may  have  been  made;  and  at  the  same  time 
shall  pay  the  moneys  collected,  into  the  hands  of  the 
Treasurer. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer,  to  examine 
the  collector's  books  and  accounts,  at  the  period  above 
named,  and  if  any  omission  or  defalcation  is  discove- 
red, he  shall  immediately  report  the  same  to  the  Act- 
ing Committee. 

The  Treasurer  shall,  once  a  year,  publish  a  list  of 
subscribers  and  donors,  in  any  two  or  more  of  the 
public  papers. 

At  their  meeting  next  after  the  annual  election,  the 
Board  of  Managers  will  appoint  a  Finance  Committee, 
to  consist  of  two  members  to  serve  for  one  year.  Any 
vacancies  in  this  committee  will  be  filled  up  at  the 
discretion  of  the  Board. 

The  securities  and  vouchers  taken  by  the  Finance 
Committee,  shall,  as  soon  as  received,  be  delivered  by 
them  to  the  Acting  Committee,  who  shall  cause  them 
to  be  copied  into  their  book  of  minutes,  and  then  to 
be  transferred  to  the  Treasurer  for  safe  keeping  and 
collection  when  due. 


•1  DISCOURSE 


ON  OPENING  THE  NEW  BUILDING  IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE,  NEW- 
YORK  ;  ESTABLISHED  FOR  THE  REFORMATION  OF  JUVENILE  DE- 
LINQUENTS. DELIVERED  DECEMBER  25tH,  1825,  IN  PRESENCE 
OF  THE  MANAGERS  OF  THE  INSTITUTION,  THE  HONORABLE  THE 
MAYOR  AND  COMMON  COUNCIL  OF  THE  CITY,  SOME  OF  THE  MEM- 
BERS OF  THE  LEGISLATURE,  AND  MANY  OF  ITS  PATRONS  AND 
FRIENDS. 

BY  JOHN  STANFORD,  A.  M. 

Once  rude  and  ignorant  we  were, 
;  With  natures  prone  to  stray ! 

Blest  now  by  Pity's  kindest  care, 
We  hear  of  Wisdom's  way. 

The  soul  untaught  is  dark  as  night, 

Where  every  evil  dwells ; 
All  hail  Instruction's  sacred  light, 
Which  all  this  night  dispels !  S3. 

— ©Q^- 

New-York,  Jan.  10,  182G. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the 
Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  the  following  Resolutions 
were  passed : — 

Resolved — That  the  thanks  of  this  Board  be  presented  to  the 
Rev.  John  Stanford,  for  his  very  able  and  appropriate  Discourse, 
on  the  opening  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  on  the  25th  of  December 
last. 

Resolved — That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stanford  be  requested  occasionally, 
and  when  his  other  public  engagements  will  allow,  to  visit  the 
House  of  Refuge. 

Resolved — That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stanford  be  requested  to  furnish 
a  copy  of  his  late  Discourse,  delivered  at  the  opening  of  the  New 
Building,  for  the  use  of  the  Delinquents  at  the  House  of  Refuge. 

Copied  from  the  Minutes, 

ROBERT  F.  MOTT,  Secretary. 

To  the  Honorable  Cadwallader  D.  Colden,  President,  and  the 
Gentlemen  composing-  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
HOUSE  Or.  HErUCrE,  for  the  Reformation 
of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  3TfttJ3  HtSCOtttSfc  is  Most 
Respectfully  DEDICATED,  by 

JOHN  STANFORD. 


289 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

The  House  of  Refuge  owes  its  origin  to  the  Society  for  the 
Prevention  of  Pauperism  in  the  City  of  New-York : — a  voluntary 
association,  formed  by  a  number  of  citizens  for  the  purpose  of  tra- 
cing the  evils  of  poverty  to  their  actual  sources,  and  of  suggesting 
and  urging  such  remedies  as  might  be  deemed  practicable,  for  a 
certain  portion  of  those  evils. 

The  results  of  the  investigations  and  deliberations  of  this  Soci- 
ety, were  given  to  the  public  in  several  successive  annual  and  spe- 
cial reports,  which  excited  among  the  benevolent  citizens  of  the 
metropolis,  no  inconsiderable  share  of  solicitude  that  the  city  might 
avail  itself  of  those  suggestions  ;  inasmuch  as  it  was  plainly  per- 
ceived, that  without  some  energetic  efforts  to  arrest  the  progress 
of  vice  and  its  attendant  poverty,  the  burthen  of  the  city  for  the 
maintenance  of  its  poor  would  increase  to  an  alarming  degree. 
Among  those  evils,  the  subject  of  juvenile  delinquency  presented 
itself  to  the  Society  in  a  formidable  shape.  The  report  on  that 
subject,  detailing  the  nature  and  amount  of  the  evil,  and  proposing 
an  establishment,  separate  from  the  City  and  State  Prisons,  for  the 
confinement  and  reformation  of  juvenile  criminals  and  vagrant 
youth,  elicited  so  much  cordiality  of  feeling,  that  the  sum  of  $15,000 
was  promptly  subscribed  by  the  citizens,  and  a  special  Society 
formed,  for  carrying  the  plan  into  operation.  These  objects  have 
been  so  fully  approved  by  the  Governor  and  Legislature,  that  the 
Society  has  been  incorporated,  and  a  legislative  provision  made 
for  its  support,  which,  with  the  liberality  of  the  citizens,  will,  it  is 
presumed,  prove  sufficient  to  secure  its  continuance  and  prosperity. 
The  Institution  was  opened  on  the  first  of  January,  1825,  with 
nine  subjects,  sentenced  by  the  police  to  the  control  of  the  Soci- 
ety. The  number  at  the  present  time,  (July,  1826,)  is,  &4  boys 
and  24  girls.  When  the  buildings  which  are  now  in  progress  shall 
have  been  completed,  the  Institution  will  accommodate  140  boys* 
and  70  girls. 

Four  hours  of  each  working  day  are  devoted  to  literary  instruc- 
tion ;  and  the  remainder,  with  the  exception  of  meals,  and  a  mod- 
erate portion  of  time  for  relaxation,  to  the  work  shops. 

The  Managers  are  abundantly  encouraged,  from  the  success  al- 
ready obtained,  to  hope  for  extensive  usefulness  in  the  reformatory 
influence  of  the  Institution,  over  the  minds  and  characters  of  its 
subjects:  most  of  whom,  without  such  a  timely  agency,  would  in 
all  probability  be  led,  by  the  force  of  corrupt  associations,  into 
habits  of  deep  and  irretrievable  criminality. 


3? 


299 


DISCOURSE, 

Exodus  II.  9. 

Take  this  child  away  and  nurse  it  for  me,  and  I  will  give 
thee  thy  wages. 

It  has  frequently  been  asserted,  that  when  a  child 
is  destined  tor  some  eminent  station  and  usefulness 
in  life,  its  birth  is  usually  accompanied  with  some 
strong  marks  of  distinction.  This  certainly  was  the 
case  with  Moses,  who  was  designated  by  the  Al- 
mighty to  be  the  deliverer  of  the  Israelites  from  theiF 
bondage  in  Egypt ;  and  afterwards  to  become  their 
Lawgiver,  Prophet,  and  General  through  the  wilder- 
ness to  inherit  the  land  of  Canaan.  About  the  320th 
year  of  the  Hebrew  captivity,  it  is  said,  There  arose  up 
a  new  king  over  Egypt,  which  knew  not  Joseph.  W  hich 
I  presume,  is  not  to  be  understood,  that  he  was  igno- 
rant such  a  person  had  lived  in  Egypt,  was  raised 
from  obscurity  to  dignity,  and  preserved  multitudes 
alive  amidst  the  ravages  of  famine:  but,  that  he  had 
no  .esteem  for  him,  because  he  was  an  Hebrew ;  and 
therefore  cultivated  an  implacable  enmity  to  Joseph's 
brethren,  who  had  so  exceedingly  increased  that  it 
alarmed  his  fears  for  the  safety  of  his  kingdom.  This 
excited  his  cruelty  to  lay  unjustifiable  burdens  upon 
this  people ;  but  the  more  he  afflicted  them,  the  more  they 
multiplied  and  grew.  Disappointed  in  this  measure,  he 
commanded,  that  when  the  Hebrew  women  should 
bring  forth  their  male  children,  the  midwives  should 
destroy  them  in  their  birth.  In  this  also  the  king 
was  disappointed  j  for,  to  the  humanity  and  honour 
of  those  females  it  is  said,  the  midwives  feared  God,  and 
did  not  as  the  king  of  Egypt  commanded  them,  but  saved 
the  men  children  alive-,  and  then  made  an  excuse  for 
their  conduct.  This  so  exasperated  the  king,  that, 
he  charged  all  his  people,  saying,  Every  son  that  is  born  ye 
shall  cast  into  the  river,  and  every  daughter  ye  shall  save  a- 
live. — Cruel  wretch,  in  the  character  of  a  king!  his 
edicts  are  here  recorded  as  perpetual  brands  of  hi& 
infamy. 

At  this  time  lived  Amram  and  Jochebed,  two  pious 


291 


Israelites  of  the  tribe  of  Levi.  God  had  already 
blessed  them  with  a  son  whose  name  was  Aaron,  and 
a  daughter  called  Miriam.  Now,  a  third  child  is 
added  to  the  number;  it  was  a  son  of  a  beautiful  coun- 
tenance, and  excited  the  most  ardent  affections  of 
his  parents.  But,  the  edict !  the  cruel  mandate  of 
Pharaoh,  which  sentenced  the  lovely  child  to  death 
in  the  waters  of  the  Nile,  overwhelmed  them  with 
sorrow.  The  fond  parents  determined  to  conceal 
the  infant  as  long  as  possible,  and  retained  it  within 
their  arms  for  three  months,  but  could  do  so  no 
longer.  God,  who  foresees  all  events,  to  accomplish 
his  own  purposes,  no  doubt  dictated  to  the  mother  the 
expedient  of  making  an  Ark,  or  close  basket  of  bul- 
rushes ;  and  it  is  said,  she  daubed  it  with  slime  and  with 
pitch,  to  keep  out  the  water.  Into  this  ark,  she  laid 
her  tender  infant,  closed  the  lid,  and  in  fkith  on  the 
God  of  Israel,  laid  it  in  the  flags  by  the  river's  brink, 
whether  for  life,  or  death.*  Say,  ye  tender  mothers! 
wrhat  were  your  feelings,  when  on  the  loss  of  an  infant 
by  death,  it  was  laid  in  the  coffin,  and  before  the  lid 
was  closed,  you  gave  with  your  lips,  the  last  token  of 
affection  !  Ye  best  can  tell  the  feeling  of  the  mother 
of  Moses,  when  in  tears  she  closed  the  lid  of  the  ark, 
and  left  him  in  the  waters  of  danger. 

On  this  very  day,  the  providence  of  God  directed 
the  feet  of  Pharaoh's  daughter,  in  company  with  her 
maidens,  to  go  down  to  the  river  and  wash.  Whether 
this  was  for  the  purpose  of  pleasure,  for  health,  or  as 
an  act  of  idolatrous  worship,  is  not  so  material  for  us 
to  determine.  As  she  walked  by  the  river,  she  saw  a 
something  among  the  flags;  curiosity  prompted  an 
order  to  her  maidens  to  fetch  it;  the  lid  was  opened; 
she  saw  the  child;  and  behold!  the  babe  wept.  Had 
we  been  present,  we  should  have  perceived  her  sur- 
prize; the  tears  of  Moses  in  distress  awakened  her 
sympathy;  her  generous  bosom  glowed;  she  had 
compassion  on  him,  and  instantly  exclaimed,  This  is 
one  of  the  Hebrews'9  children!  A  nurse  was  immediately 
provided,  and  the  princess  honoured  her  own  feelings 
by  thus  addressing  her :  Take  this  child  away,  and  nurse 
it  for  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages.  This  was  ac- 
cepted, And  the  woman  took  the  child  and  nursed  it. 

*  Hebrews  xi.  23. 


292 


Those  who  have  read  the  sequel  of  this  history,  need 
not  be  told,  that  from  this  most  striking  occurrence, 
Pharaoh's  daughter  adopted  this  rescued  child  as  her 
own  son;  she  caused  him  to  be  instructed  in  all  the 
learning  of  Egypt;  and,  that  he  afterwards  became 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  and  honoured  charac- 
ters that  adorn  the  pages  of  the  Old  Testament, 

As  we  are  this  morning  assembled  in  this  new 
building,  to  offer  our  prayer  to  the  Almighty  for  hi9 
gracious  benediction  upon  this  benevolent  Institution : 
perhaps  I  may  not  better  perform  the  duty  assigned 
me,  than  by  drawing  a  few  lines  of  comparison  be- 
tween the  forlorn  exposure,  and  the  relief  of  little 
Moses,  and  those  young  unfortunates  whom  this  So- 
ciety rescues  from  misery,  granting  them  protection 
in  this  House  of  Refuge. 

I.  Let  us  recollect  the  danger  to  which  the  infant 
Moses  was  exposed. — He  was  laid  among  the  flags 
which  grew  on  the  brink  of  the  Nile,  and  in  danger  of 
being  carried  away  by  the  stream,  and  seen  no  more. 
And  who  does  not  know,  that  iniquity  has  too  long 
run  down  our  streets  like  water;  and  that  the  floods 
of  the  ungodly,  like  the  rising  of  the  waters  of  the 
Nile,  have  frequently  overflowed  the  safety  and  peace 
of  our  city  ?  The  rising  generation,  for  successive 
years,  have  been  exposed  to  this  polluting  current, 
and  many  of  them  have  been  carried  away  and  de- 
stroyed. Often  have  we  seen  the  children  of  the 
lower  orders  of  society,  for  the  want  of  education 
and  restraint,  plunging  into  this  iniquitous  stream; 
and  such  are  the  force  of  example  and  the  fascina- 
tions of  vice,  that  we  are  not  without  some  instances 
of  other  young  persons,  of  respectable  connections 
being  unhappily  carried  away  from  the  paths  of  virtue, 
lodged  in  houses  of  criminal  confinement,  lost  to  all 
expectation  by  their  parents  of  retrieving  their  char- 
acters, and  becoming  useful  members  of  society. 
But  now,  the  pitying  eye,  like  that  of  Pharaoh's  daugh- 
ter, is  directed  to  such  young  offenders;  and,  the 
hand  of  kindness  is  extended,  at  once  to  rescue  them 
from  destruction,  and  safely  conduct  them  to  this 
House  of  Refuge. 

Let  us  not  forget  that  little  Moses  was  also  in  dan- 


293 


ger  of  being  devoured  by  the  crocodile.  This  am- 
phibious animal  is  a  native  inhabitant  of  the  Nile, 
living  both  on  land  and  water;  it  frequently  grows  to 
an  enormous  size,  is  of  great  strength,  and  extremely 
voracious.  It  has  the  largest  mouth  of  all  monsters, 
opens  both  his  jaws  at  once,  which,  being  furnished 
with  a  great  number  of  sharp  teeth,  can  snap  a  man 
asunder  in  a  moment,  and  gorge  the  body.  To  this 
dreadful  monster  the  infant  Moses  was  exposed ;  and 
we  cannot  but  shudder  at  the  apprehension  of  his  ex- 
posure. Perhaps  you  may  inquire,  Have  we  any 
such  dangerous  animals  in  our  city,  or  in  its  rivers? 
We  have  only  seen  them  exhibited  in  show,  and  so 
confined,  as  to  admit  of  no  danger  to  the  visiters. 
Where  then  can  be  the  correctness  of  this  compari- 
son between  little  Moses,  and  the  miserable  young 
beings  who  wander  in  pur  streets  ?  I  venture  to  affirm, 
that  among  us,  we  have  crocodiles  in  human  shape; 
persons  whose  conduct  is  as  dangerous  to  the  interest 
of  civil  society,  as  are  the  ravages  of  the  monsters  in 
the  Nile.  They  may  well  be  denominated  amphibi- 
ous, for  they  are  capable  of  committing  their  ravages 
upon  the  land,  or  on  the  water.  Indeed,  it  is  well 
known  that  by  various  methods,  such  unhappy  char- 
acters form  their  criminal  practices  into  a  system. 
They  first  learn  the  rudiments  of  their  art  in  secret; 
perhaps  in  some  obscure  cellar,  and  there  form  com- 
binations. Occasionly,  a  party  sally  forth  to  try  their 
skill  in  less  crimes;  till  eventually,  some  of  them  are 
detected,  and  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary.  There, 
for  the  want  of  room  to  make  the  necessary  classifica- 
tion, they  horde  too  much  in  mass,  and  soon  find  those 
who  are  more  proficient  in  criminal  practices  than 
themselves ;  from  whom  they  receive  greater  aid  to 
carry  on  the  course  of  bad  instruction.  So  true  is  it, 
that  evil  communications,  not  only  corrupt  good  manners, 
but  certainly  make  bad  manners  much  worse.  Here 
too,  they  formerly  met  with  the  juvenile  offender; 
perhaps  sentenced  for  his  first  offence.  As  with  the 
false  tears  of  the  crocodile,  they  pretended  to  com- 
miserate his  misfortunes,  ingratiate  themselves  into 
his  tender  feelings,  and  by  such  insinuations,  he  gra- 
dually listens  to  the  story  of  their  own  vicious  conduct ; 


294 


and,  finally  imbibes  those  depraved  principles,  which 
soon  make  him  to  resemble  their  own  likeness.  Thus 
advanced  in  their  vicious  education,  no  wonder  they 
should  resolve  to  form  a  new  gang  on  their  liberation ; 
so  that,  on  the  expiration,  it  may  be  said  of  some  of 
them,  they  are  competent  to  take  their  first  degree  of 
Bachelor  in  the  Art  of  crime. 

Now,  a  new  scene  appears.  Instead  of  cultivating 
repentance  for  past  offences,  such  is  the  strength  of 
sinful  habits,  they  improve  their  criminal  system,  and 
form  stronger  combinations  to  execute  their  purposes. 
Their  rapacity,  like  that  of  the  crocodile,  increases; 
and,  with  extended  jaws  they  lay  in  wait  to  catch  the 
young  offender  that  he  may  aid  in  their  dark  designs. 
This  becomes  indispensably  necessary,  in  order  to 
perform  those  operations  of  which  a  grown  person  is 
incompetent.  The  little  boy  must  watch  the  opening 
door;  climb  the  fence;  or,  urge  his  way  through  the 
cellar  bars.  Having  gained  admission,  the  urchin 
conceals  himself,  perhaps  beneath  the  bed;  within  the 
vacant  closet;  or,  in  the  garret's  corner,  until  all  is 
hushed  in  silent  sleep;  when,  behold!  he  descends 
the  stairs,  unlocks  the  door,  and  admits  the  gang  to 
accomplish  their  plunder.  This  is  no  false  represen- 
tation; facts  like  these  have  too  frequently  occurred ; 
and  I  personally  know  a  youth,  of  about  fifteen  years 
of  age,  now  in  one  of  our  prisons,  who,  by  such  early 
instruction  and  practices,  has  been  pronounced  com- 
petent to  take  the  lead  of  a  gang.  What  generous  soul 
but  shudders  on  beholding  scenes  like  these,  and  ar- 
dently wishes  to  rescue  such  young  delinquents  from 
the  jaws  of  total  destruction!  Such  public  depreda- 
tions, however,  seldom  go  long  without  detection; 
and,  the  perpetrators  are  deservedly  conveyed  to  the 
State  Prison.  Here,likewise,for  the  want  of  adequate 
means  to  classify  the  criminals,  their  intercourse  with 
each  other,  especially  in  the  shades  of  night,  is  favor- 
able for  that  conversation,  which,  can  only  produce 
a  stronger  growth  of  vicious  principles,  and  which  out- 
braves the  watch  of  their  keepers,  and  the  moral  les- 
sons which  they  constantly  receive.  And  here  too, 
the  old  offenders  seldom  fail  to  ensnare  the  young,  and 
instil  stronger  principles  of  mischief  into  their  minds, 


295 


and  thus  stimulate  them  to  the  perpetration  of  more 
flagrant  offences.  From  such  a  mass  of  criminals,  so 
long  in  the  cultivation  of  vice,  no  wonder  that  some 
of  them  should  become  so  proficient,  as  at  the  expira- 
tion of  their  sentence,  they  may  be  said  to  take  their 
second  degree,  of  Master  in  the  Art  of  criminality. 

Let  us  look  again  at  the  infant  Moses,  and  we  shall 
perceive  him  exposed  to  danger  from  the  Officers  of 
Pharaoh's  court.  Had  they  passed  along  by  the  river 
side,  and  perceived  something  in  the  shape  of  a  bas- 
ket, they  would  have  been  excited  to  ascertain  its 
contents.  Opening  the  lid,  they  would  have  found 
the  Hebrew  child  j  and  although  they  might  have 
been  affected  by  perceiving  its  tears,  the  inexorable 
edict  of  their  king  would  have  compelled  them  to  take 
away  its  life  by  drowning  him  in  the  river.  This  is 
similar  to  the  case  of  our  delinquent  children;  for, 
the  civil  law  of  our  country  knows  no  distinction  in 
the  detection  of  crime,  whether  committed  by  old  or 
young.  When  therefore  our  officers  of  justice  per- 
ceive the  unwary  youth,  wading  in  the  stream  of  ini- 
quity, notwithstanding  they  may  have  compassion  for 
his  tender  years,  they  are  bound  to  arrest.  And,  al- 
though the  natural  life  of  the  offender  be  not  in  dan- 
ger, like  that  of  Moses,  still,  the  condemnation,  and 
criminal  confinement  of  a  young  person,  generally  pro- 
duces the  moral  death  of  his  character,  and  destroys 
the  hope  of  society  in  his  favor.  How  generous  then 
is  that  hand,  which  can  rescue  a  fallen  youth  from 
such  extreme  danger! 

What  adds  a  final  grade  to  the  distressing  exposure 
of  poor  little  Moses,  is,  that  he  was  unconscious  of  his 
danger.  Is  not  this  the  case  with  our  unwary  youth? 
Ignorant  of  the  criminality  of  their  conduct;  their  of- 
fences against  God;  and  their  accountability  to  the 
laws  of  society,  they  go  astray,  regardless  of  its  fatal 
consequences.  Like  as  Moses  knew  not  his  danger 
of  being  carried  aw  ay  by  the  stream,  or  devoured  by 
the  monster  of  the  Nile:  so  our  unfortunate  children 
are  insensible  of  the  current  of  vice,  or  of  those  older, 
abandoned  characters,  whether  male  or  female,  who 
lay  in  wait  to  destroy  them!  Nor  is  it  uncommon  for 
such  old  offenders,  having  succeeded  in  decoying  the 


296 


young  under  a  promise  of  gain,  on  their  detection,  to 
turn  evidence  against  them,  and  thus  seal  their  con- 
demnation. 

Let  this  general  statement  of  our  dissipated  youth, 
and  the  dangers  to  which  they  are  exposed,  produce 
the  necessary  impression  upon  our  mind,  and  we  shall 
instantly  perceive  the  importance  of  the  laudable  ef- 
forts of  this  Society  in  rescuing  them  from  the  paths 
of  the  destroyer,  and  giving  them  a  place  in  this  House 
of  Refuge.  As  the  means  which  the  Almighty  em- 
ployed to  extricate  the  infant  Moses  from  his  danger 
are  so  remarkably  interesting;  and,  as  the  circum- 
stances attending  it  are  so  admirably  calculated  to 
afford  us  a  few  lessons  of  instruction  on  the  design  of 
the  present  assembly,  we  will  make  them  the  subject 
of  the  second  par  t  of  this  discourse. 

II.  By  the  intervening  providence  of  God,  the  feet 
of  Pharaoh's  daughter  were  directed  to  the  waters  of 
the  Nile.  How  minutely  does  the  Almighty  perform 
his  operations!  Had  the  Princess,  with  her  maidens, 
come  down  on  the  morning  before,  Moses  had  not 
been  there ;  had  she  been  confined  to  her  chamber, 
and  visited  the  river  on  the  following  day,  the  child 
might  have  been  drowned,  or  devoured  by  the  mon- 
ster. This  therefore  was  the  very  set  time  for  God  to 
favor  Moses ;  and  all  circumstances  combine  to  pro- 
duce the  event. — Permit  me  to  say,  that  many  years 
ago,  I  cultivated  a  commiseration  for  the  vagrant  chil- 
dren in  our  streets ;  and  especially  for  those  misera- 
ble little  creatures  who  were  confined  in  our  prisons. 
In  the  year  1813,  I  presented  to  the  Honorable  the 
Common  Council,  the  outlines  of  a  plan  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  an  Asylum  for  their  relief;  but,  it  was 
like  the  morning,  too  soon!  The  set  time  for  such  an 
operation  had  not  arrived;  now,  the  providence  of 
God  appears  in  their  favor,  and  the  public  mind  is 
generously  excited  to  rescue  them  from  the  pulluted 
waters  of  destruction,  and  employ  every  possible 
means  for  their  restoration  to  usefulness  and  happi- 
ness. 

The  address  of  the  Princess  of  Egypt  to  the  nurse, 
is  as  expressive  as  it  is  kind  and  benevolent ;  and  af- 
fords us  a  charming  impression  of  the  strong  interest 


297 


which  she  took  in  the  future  welfare  of  the  infant. 

Take  this  child  aivay,  said  she,  from  its  present  clanger, 
though  it  be  an  Hebrew.  Carry  it  to  your  home,  and 
nurse  it  for  me,  as  though  it  were  my  own.  I  require 
not  this  care  at  your  own  expense ;  for  T  am  able,  and 
promise  to  give  thee  thy  wages.  Excellent  Princess! 
what  more  could  she  have  said!  How  justly  may  all 
these  items  be  applied  to  the  good  intention  of  the 
Society  now  assembled.  Let  us  examine  them? — 
Take  this  child  away  ;  remove  the  miserable  little  ob- 
jects from  the  paths  of  idleness,  beggary,  vanity,  and 
inducement  to  crime,  by  the  crafty  and  the  wicked  who 
lay  in  wait  to  allure  and  destroy  them.  But  whither 
shall  these  juvenile  delinquents  be  conveyed  ?  Where 
is  the  hospitable  door  that  will  open  to  receive  them? 
Here  it  is!  The  House  of  Refuge  is  now  open:  its 
door  unfolds  to  receive  and  protect  them,  as  the  arms 
of  the  nurse  were  extended  to  embrace  the  rescued 
Moses. — What  attention  are  they  here  to  receive? 
They  are  to  be  nursed.  What  this  means,  is  easy  to 
be  understood.  They  come  to  you  in  rags,  and  you 
must  clothe  them ;  they  are  hungry,  and  you  will  feed 
them;  destitute  of  virtuous  friends,  you  clasp  them 
to  your  bosom;  mentally  diseased  by  idleness  and 
sin,  you  afford  them  the  religious  means  for  restora- 
tion. Nursing  is  indeed  anxious  labor;  and  those 
who  have  the  government  of  this  Institution,  will  fre- 
quently find  a  sufficiency  of  care  to  fill  both  their  hands 
and  their  hearts. — Still,  who  is  to  supply?  From 
whence  are  the  necessaries  to  be  obtained  to  feed, 
and  to  clothe  so  large  a  family  ?  Remember,  Pharaoh's 
daughter  said  unto  the  nurse,  I  will  give  thee  thy  wa- 
ges ;  and  if  the  nurse  could  trust  the  Princess  of  Egypt, 
surely  we  may  confide  in  the  providence  of  the  Al- 
mighty, for  the  silver  and  the  gold  are  his  to  bestow. 
Besides,  the  public  mind  has  already  been  so  benev- 
olently interested  in  its  favor,  that,  methinks  I  hear 
their  voice  to  you  this  morning,  "We  will  give  thee 
thy  wages."  For^  indeed,  you  nurse  these  poor  mis- 
erable creatures  for  the  public  peace  and  safety;  and 
therefore  they  will  not  fail  to  give  you  the  most  ample 
supply. 

The  reflections  I  have  already  made,  lead  me  to  in- 

38 


298 


etitute  an  inquiry: — What  may  be  the  public  expec- 
tation of  benefits  arising  from  this  new  establishment? 
The  first  I  will  name,  is,  the  extraction  of  the  Core 
of  Pauperism.  It  is  well  known,  that  we  seldom  see 
men  and  women,  with  baskets  on  their  arms,  going 
from  house  to  house,  soliciting  charity ;  for  the  trade 
of  mendicity  has  been  carried  on,  principally  by  the 
children  of  the  indolent  and  worthless.  While  this 
practice  was  pursued,  Societies  for  the  cure,  or  pre- 
vention of  Pauperism,  may  hold  their  meetings,  and 
publish  their  annual  reports,  without  any  other  bene- 
fit than  what  would  accrue  to  the  paper  mill,  and  the 
printing  press.  Remove  such  child  ren  from  the  streets, 
and  nurse  them  well;  then,  though  the  strings  of  the 
core  of  pauperism  may  draw  hard  in  its  extraction,  it 
is  the  best,  if  not  the  only  method  of  cure. — The  pub- 
lic will  likewise  expect  these  children  will  be  instruc- 
ted in  the  rudiments  of  plain  education ;  the  impor- 
tance of  cultivating  habits  of  industry;  and  some  of 
the  more  useful  mechanic  arts;  by  which,  hereafter, 
they  may  obtain  an  honest  livelihood,  whether  on  the 
land,  or  on  the  seas. — To  which  must  be  added,  their 
reformation,  and  improvement  in  morals;  without 
which,  very  little  good  will  be  obtained.  No  man 
will  expect  that  you  can  change  their  vicious  little 
hearts;  for  this  is  alone  the  prerogative  of  God,  by  the 
operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  his  grace.  But,  as  this 
is  frequently  produced  by  the  use  of  means,  you  can 
teach  these  ignorant  children  to  read  their  once  neg- 
lected Bible;  show  them  the  nature  and  danger  of  sin 
and  transgression  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man;  you 
can  point  them  to  a  compassionate  Saviour,  who  not 
only  died  for  our  sins,  but  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  took 
children  in  his  arms  and  blessed  them.  And,  it  will 
be  easy  for  you  to  contrast  their  former  state  of  igno- 
rance and  degradation,  with  the  privileges  of  instruc- 
tion and  good  examples  which  they  now  receive,  in 
the  cheering  hope  of  their  interest  and  happiness  in 
the  world.  These  are  some  of  those  duties  which 
you  owe  to  them,  and  to  the  public;  and  if  faithfully 
performed,  I  hope  God  will  succeed  your  endeavors, 
and  the  expectation  of  our  citizens  will  be  happily 
realized. 


299 


ADDRESSES. 

The  Ladies  who  have  so  generously  engaged  their 
services  to  visit  and  to  watch  over  the  female  depart- 
ment of  this  House  of  Refuge,  will  accept  my  congrat- 
ulation upon  this  occasion.  You  have  no  need  for  me 
to  intimate  the  duties  you  have  to  perform.  You  pos- 
sess a  parental  feeling;  and  nothing  but  motives  of 
tenderness  and  kindness  could  have  prompted  your 
exertions  to  aid  in  this  noble  design  of  restoring  the 
fallen  children  of  your  own  sex,  to  the  paths  of  virtue 
and  happiness.  Permit  me  to  remind  you  of  Pha- 
raoh's daughter,  as  your  noble  example.  True,  she 
was  an  Egyptian;  an  Idolatress;  no  matter  for  the 
color  of  her  complexion ;  she  came  to  the  brink  of 
the  river;  she  saw  the  helpless  infant;  she  had  com- 
passion, and  she  saved  him!  Had  that  distinguished 
woman  lived  in  a  Christian  land;  and  had  her  heart 
been  enriched  with  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  I  would  ex- 
hibit her  in  the  attitude  of  relieving  the  distressed,  and 
then  say  to  you,  behold  the  loveliest  picture  of 
Christian  Charity! — Go,  worthy  Ladies,  and  do  like- 
wise. 

The  Honorable  the  Mayor,  and  the  Members  of 
the  Common  Council  of  the  City;  and  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  New-York  Delegation  to  the  State  Leg- 
islature, who  have  honored  this  Society  with  their 
presence,  cannot  but  feel  a  lively  interest  in  behold- 
ing this  rising  Institution.  You  must  be  convinced, 
Gentlemen,  that  this  is  not  an  object  of  simple  charity. 
It  is  strongly  combined  with  the  safety,  honor,  and 
happiness  of  the  whole  community.  If  such  little  of- 
fenders were  permitted  to  range  at  large,  their  crimi- 
nal habits  would  grow  with  their  years;  their  number 
by  example  would  increase;  and,  by  these  means, 
town  and  country  would  be  overrun,  and  our  public 
prisons  be  crowded,  not  failing  to  produce  an  enor- 
mous expense  to  the  state  !  To  prevent  these  calami- 
tous consequences,  the  House  of  Refuge  is  erected, 
and  makes  a  strong  appeal  for  public  support.  But, 
my  humane  friends,  the  prevention  of  the  growth  of 
crime  is  not  all  that  is  intended  by  this  Society;  it  is 
their  moral  design,  by  every  method  possible,  to  re- 


300 


claim  these  juvenile  delinquents,  that  they  may  be- 
come useful  and  honorable  members  of  society.  This 
enhances  the  value  of  the  Institution  so  highly,  that  1 
have  no  language  sufficiently  to  express  its  impor- 
tance !  While  therefore  we  cherish  the  hope  that  our 
own  Corporation  will  look  with  a  benign  aspect  on 
the  House  of  Refuge:  our  City  Delegation  also  will 
make  such  a  favorable  representation  of  it,  that  our 
State  Legislature  will  forma  sort  of  echo,  "We 
also  will  aid,  and  pay  thee  thy  wages." 

The  Managers  of  this  Establishment.  I  cannot 
but  congratulate  you,  Gentlemen,  on  the  completion 
of  this  new  building.  The  smiles  of  heaven  have  thus 
far  succeeded  your  efforts,  in  favor  of  the  young  un- 
fortunates committed  to  your  care.  The  duties  re- 
quisite in  every  new  institution,  must  generally  be 
known  as  the  result  of  observation  and  experience;  of 
course  you  will  have  much  to  learn,  as  well  as  much 
to  perform.  Begin  your  services  in  the  fear  of  your 
God ;  duly  reflect  on  the  magnitude  of  the  object  for 
which  you  are  engaged;  while  you  combine  tender- 
ness and  faithfulness  in  all  your  operations;  it  is  my 
sincere  wish,  that  the  whole  may  be  crowned  with  the 
most  abundant  success. 

THE  CHILDREN. 

Children  !  I  must  not  omit  claiming  your  attention, 
and  soliciting  you  to  indulge  the  most  serious  reflec- 
tions on  the  privileges  you  now  enjoy.  The  erection 
of  this  building,  together  with  your  support,  must  give 
you  strong  conviction,  how  much  a  benevolent  public 
are  interested  in  your  present  and  future  welfare. 
Had  you  been  left  alone  to  yourselves,  in  poverty, 
idleness  and  sin,  instead  of  ensuring  you  peace  and 
pleasure,  iniquity  would  have  proved  your  final  ruin. 
You  are  to  look  at  the  walls  which  surround  this  build- 
ing, not  so  much  as  those  of  a  prison,  as  an  hospitable 
dwelling,  in  which  you  enjoy  comfort,  and  safety  from 
those  who  once  led  you  astray.  And,  I  may  venture 
to  say,  that  in  all  probability,  this  is  the  best  home 
many  of  you  ever  enjoyed  !  You  have  no  need  for  me 
to  tell  you,  that  the  consideration  of  all  these  favors 
should  stimulate  you  to  submission,  industry,  and  grat- 


301 


itude.  You  are  not  placed  here  so  much  for  punish- 
ment, as  to  produce  your  moral  improvement.  By 
the^e  indulgent  means,  we  hope,  that  instead  of  your 
spending  your  days  in  idleness,  disgrace,  and  misery, 
you  may  become  useful  to  yourselves,  honorable  in 
society,  and  share  in  the  true  happiness  of  your  fellow 
creatures.  Although  you  are  now  young  in  years, 
you  must  have  some  consciousness  that  the  errors  of 
life,  and  the  evils  of  your  heart,  expose  you  to  the  dis- 
pleasure of  the  Almighty;  that  you  need  the  tender 
mercy  of  the  Saviour  to  pardon  your  iniquities ;  to 
renew  your  depraved  minds  by  the  virtue  of  His  grace, 
and  thus  save  you  from  the  desert  of  your  transgres- 
sions. We  hope,  therefore,  that  while  you  are  within 
these  walls,  the  Lord  may  command  his  merciful  kind- 
ness upon  you,  and  enable  you  to  devote  yourselves 
to  his  adored  Name,  and  his  most  delightful  service ! 
Moses  could  never  forget  the  humanity  and  kindness 
of  Pharaoh's  daughter,  in  delivering  him  from  ihe 
danger  to  which  he  was  exposed;  and  I  would  indulge 
the  charming  impression,  that,  there  is  no  youth  in 
this  House  of  Refuge,  but  what  will  bear  in  devout  re- 
membrance the  deliverance  and  the  favors  which  you 
have  here  received,  and  evince  the  sincerity  of  your 
gratitude  by  the  amiableness  of  your  temper,  and  the 
virtue  of  your  future  conduct. 

CONCLUSION. 

The  time  on  which  we  have  now  assembled,  is  usu- 
ally called  "Christmas  Day."  Whether  this  recogni- 
zes the  very  day  on  which  Jesus  was  born  in  Bethle- 
hem, is  not  now  my  business  to  examine.  If  any  man 
prefers  keeping  this,  or  any  other  day  to  the  Lord,  I 
am  not  disposed  to  interrupt  him  in  the  enjoyment  of 
his  privilege.  The  text  on  which  1  have  this  morning 
addressed  you,  combined  with  the  narrative  of  Moses 
laid  among  the  flags  on  the  brink  of  the  river,  remind 
me  of  the  Angel's  address  to  the  Shepherds  in  the  field 
while  watching  their  flock  by  night.  Fear  not :  for, 
behold,  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall 
be  to  all  people.  For  unto  you  is  born  this  day  in  the  city 
of  David  a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord.  And  this 
shall  be  a  sign  unto  you  ;  ye  shall  find  the  babe  wrapped  in 


302 


swaddling  clothes,  lying  in  a  manger.  Immediately  the 
Shepherds  left  their  flocks;  and  they  came  with  haste, 
and  found  Mary,  and  Joseph,  and  the  babe  lying  in  the  man- 
ger.* This  is  that  true  Moses,  the  Prophet,  which 
the  Lord  our  God  promised  to  raise  up,  like  unto  him  in 
all  things,  whom  his  people  shoidd  hear."\  How  singularly 
striking  were  the  circumstances  which  attended  their 
infancy!  Yes,  the  babe  of  Bethlehem,  found  in  a  man- 
ger, was  Christ  the  Lord  ;  and,  his  name  was  called  Je- 
sus, for  he  was  to  save  his  people  from  their  sins.  If  Mo- 
ses that  was  found  in  the  ark  of  bulrushes,  was  born 
to  deliver  the  Israelites  from  their  bondage  in  Egypt, 
and  conduct  them  through  the  wilderness  on  their 
way  to  Canaan  :  we  are  certain,  that  our  blessed  Sa- 
viour was  born  to  deliver  from  the  more  dreadful 
bondage  of  sin  and  misery,  and  safely  conduct  his  re- 
deemed to  the  rest  of  immortality  and  glory.  Yes, 
Jesus  was  born  to  live,  to  suffer,  and  to  die  upon  the 
cross  for  our  sins;  and  after  he  was  laid  in  the  grave, 
he  burst  the  bands  of  death,  ascended  up  to  heaven, 
and  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high, 
from  thence  to  shower  down  the  multiplicity  of  his 
mercies  upon  mankind.  And  who,  on  this  occasion, 
but  what  will  most  devoutly  pray — Lord,  reserve  a 
blessing  for  this  House  of  Refuge  !  Amen. 

The  service  was  concluded  by  the  children,  alone,  singing  an 
hymn.  The  recollection  that  those  sixty-three  unfortunates,  had 
just  been  rescued  from  vice,  and  the  paths  of  the  destroyer ;  and 
now  employed  in  singing  the  praises  of  the  Lord ;  together  with 
the  melody  of  their  voices,  produced  a  most  impressive  effect  upon 
the  whole  assembly ! 


"Luke  ii. 


tDeut.  xviii.  15.    Acts  rii.  37, 


303 


Acts  of  the  legislature  of  the  State  of  N.  York, 

RELATING  TO  THE  HOUSE   OF  REFUGE. 


AN  ACT  to  Incorporate  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juve- 
nile Delinquents  in  the  City  of  New- York. 

Passed  March  29,  1824. 

Whereas,  by  the  petition  of  several  inhabitants  of  the  city  of 
New-York,  it  is  represented,  that  they  are  desirous  of  establishing 
a  Society,  and  House  of  Refuge,  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile 
Delinquents  in  the  said  city,  and  have  prayed  to  be  incorporated ; 

Therefore,  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly :  that  all  such  persons 
as  now  are  or  hereafter  shall  become  Subscribers  to  the  said  asso- 
ciation pursuant  to  the  bye-laws  thereof,  shall  be  and  hereby  are 
constituted  a  body  corporate  and  politic,  by  the  name  of  "  the 
Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents in  the  city  of  New-York ;  and  by  that  name  they  shall  have 
perpetual  succession,  and  being  in  law  capable  of  suing  and  being 
sued,  defending  and  being  defended  in  all  courts  and  places,  and 
in  all  manner  of  actions  and  causes  whatsoever,  and  may  have  a 
common  seal  and  change  the  same  at  their  pleasure,  and  shall  be 
capable  in  law  by  that  name  and  style,  of  purchasing,  holding,  and 
conveying  any  estate  real  or  personal  for  the  use  of  the  said  cor- 
poration. Provided,  that  such  real  estate  shall  never  exceed  the 
yearly  value  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  nor  be  applied  to  any  other 
purposes  than  those  for  which  this  incorporation  is  formed. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  estate  and  concerns  of  the 
said  corporation,  shall  be  conducted  by  a  board  of  thirty  Managers 
to  be  elected  by  a  plurality  of  ballots  of  the  members  resident  in 
the  City  of  New-York,  being  Subscribers  as  aforesaid,  and  present 
at  such  election  yearly  on  the  third  Monday  in  November,  at  such 
place  in  the  said  City  and  at  such  time  of  the  day  as  the  Board  of 
Managers  may  from  time  to  time  appoint,  and  of  which  public  no- 
tice shall  be  given,  and  if  any  vacancy  shall  occur  by  the  resigna- 
tion, removal,  or  otherwise,  of  any  one  of  the  said  Board,  the  same 
shall  be  filled  for  the  remainder  of  the  year  by  such  person  or  per- 
sons being  subscribers  as  aforesaid,  as  the  Board  for  the  time  being 
or  a  major  part  of  them  shall  appoint ;  and  until  the  election  on 
the  third  Monday  in  November  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five,  the  following  persons  shall  compose  the  said 
Board  of  Managers,  to  wit : — Cadwallader  D.  Colden,  John  Gris- 
com,  John  Duer,  Jonathan  M.  Wainwright,  Isaac  Collins,  Thomas 
Eddy,  Ansel  W.  Ives,  John  T.  Irving,  John  E.  Hyde,  Cornelius 
Du  Bois,  James  W.  Gerard,  Joseph  Curtis,  John  Stearns,  Ralph 
Olmsted,  Robert  F.  Mott,  Stephen  Allen,  Henry  I.  WyckofF,  Sam- 
uel Cowdrey,  John  Targee,  Arthur  Burtis,  Joseph  Grinnell,  Hugh 
Maxwell,  Henry  Mead,  Peter  A.  Jay,  Gilbert  Coutant,  Cornelius 
R.  Duffie,  and  James  Lovett;  and  it  is  hereby  further  enacted,  that 
no  Manager  of  the  said  Society  shall  receive  any  compensation  for 
his  services. 


304 


And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  the  annual  election  shall  not 
take  place  on  the  stated  days  for  that  purpose,  the  said  Corporation 
shall  not  thereby  be  dissolved,  but  the  Members  of  the  said  Board 
shall  co  itinue  in  office  until  a  new  election,  which  shall  be  had  at 
such  time  and  place  and  after  such  notice  as  the  said  Board  shall 
prescribe,  and  in  case  of  an  equality  of  votes  for  any  one  or  more 
persons  as  a  Member  or  Members  of  the  said  Board  of  Managers, 
the  said  Board  shall  determine  which  of  such  persons  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  elected,  and  such  person  or  persons  shall  take  his  or 
their  seats,  and  act  accordingly. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  Managers  shall  have 
power  in  their  discretion  to  receive  and  take  into  the  House  of 
Refuge,  to  be  established  by  them,  all  such  children  who  shall  be 
taken  up  or  committed  as  vagrants,  or  convicted  of  criminal  offen- 
ces in  the  said  City,  as  may  in  the  judgment  of  the  Court  of  Gene- 
ral Sessions  of  the  peace,  or  of  the  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  in 
and  for  the  said  City,  or  of  the  Jury  before  whom  any  such  offender 
shall  be  tried,  or  the  Police  Magistrates,  or  of  the  Commissioners 
of  the  Aims-House  and  Bridewell  of  the  said  City,  be  proper  ob- 
jects, and  the  said  Managers  shall  have  power  to  place  the  said 
children  committed  to  their  care,  during  the  minority  of  such  chil- 
dren, at  such  employments,  and  to  cause  them  to  be  instructed  in 
such  branches  of  useful  knowledge,  as  shall  be  suitable  to  their 
years  and  capacities  ;  and  they  shall  have  power  in  their  discretion 
to  bind  out  the  said  children  with  their  consent  as  apprentices  or 
servants  during  their  minority,  to  such  persons,  and  at  such  places, 
to  learn  such  proper  trades  and  employments  as  in  their  judgment 
will  be  most  for  the  reformation  and  amendment,  and  the  future 
benefit  and  advantage  of  such  children  :  Provided,  that  the  charge 
and  power  of  the  said  Managers  upon  and  over  the  said  children, 
shall  not  extend  in  the  case  of  females  beyond  the  age  of  eighteen 
years. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  and  singular  the  clauses  and 
provisions  in  the  act  entitled  an  act  concerning  apprentices  and 
servants,  relating  to  the  covenants  to  be  inserted  in  the  Indentures 
of  apprentices  and  servants,  made  by  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  and 
the  provisions  of  the  Sixth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Eleventh,  Twelfth,  and 
Thirteenth  Sections  of  the  last  mentioned  act,  shall  apply  to  the 
apprentices  and  servants,  and  the  persons  to  whom  they  may  be 
bound,  under,  and  by  virtue  of  this  act. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  Managers  under  this 
act,  may,  from  time  to  time,  make  bye-laws,  ordinances,  and  regu- 
lations relative  to  the  management  and  disposition  of  the  Estate 
and  Concerns  of  the  said  Corporation,  and  the  management,  gov- 
ernment, instruction,  discipline,  employment,  and  disposition  of 
the  said  children,  while  in  the  said  House  of  Refuge,  or  under  their 
care  not  contrary  to  law,  as  they  may  deem  proper,  and  may  ap- 
point such  officers,  agents,  and  servants  as  they  may  deem  neces- 
sary to  transact  the  business  of  the  said  Corporation,  and  may 
designate  their  duties ;  and  further,  that  the  said  Managers  shall 
make  an  annual  report  to  the  Legislature,  and  to  the  Corporation 
of  the  City  of  New- York,  of  the  number  of  children  received  by 
them  into  the  said  House  of  Refuge,  the  disposition  which  shall  be 
made  of  the  said  children  by  instructing  or  employing  them  in  the 


305 


said  House  of  Refuge,  or  by  binding  them  out  as  apprentices  of 
servants;  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  said  Managers,  and 
generally  all  such  facts  and  particulars  as  may  tend  to  exhibit  ef- 
fects, whether  advantageous  or  otherwise  of  the  said  Association* 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  this  act  shall  be  and  is  hereby 
declared  a  public  act,  and  that  the  same  shall  be  construed  in  all 
courts  and  places  benignly  and  favorably  for  every  humane  and 
laudable  purpose  therein  contained. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Legislature  may  at  any  time 
hereafter,  alter,  modify,  or  repeal  this  act. 

State  of  New-  York,  Secretary's  Office, 
I  certify  the  preceding  to  be  a  true  copy  of  an  original  act  of  the 
Legislature  of  this  State  on  file  in  this  Office. 

Archabald  Campbell, 

Dep.  Secretary. 

Albany,  April  1,  1824. 


AN  ACT  in  aid  of  the  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the  Reforma- 
tion of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  City  of  New-York. 

Passed  April  9,  1825. 

BE  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  New-  York,  represented 
in  Senate  and  Assembly,  That  the  Treasurer  shall,  on  the  warrant 
of  the  Comptroller,  pay  to  the  Treasurer  or  the  Managers  of  the 
Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of 
New-York,  out  of  any  money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appro- 
priated, the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  annually,  for  the  term  of 
five  years  :  that  the  first  payment  of  two  thousand  dollars  shall  be 
made  on  the  first  day  of  May  next,  and  the  like  sum  on  every  first 
day  of  May  thereafter. 


AN  ACT  to  amend  the  act,  entitled  "  An  act  to  incorporate  the  So* 
ciety  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of 
New-York,''''  passed  March  29,  1824,  and  for  other  purposes. 

Passed  January  28th,  1826. 

BE  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  New-York,  repre- 
senied  in  Senate  and  Assembly,  That  the  Managers  of  the  Society- 
mentioned  in  the  act  hereby  amended,  shall  receive  and  take  in  the 
House  of  Refuge,  established  by  them  in  the  City  of  New- York, 
all  such  children  as  shall  be  convicted  of  criminal  offences,  in  any 
city  or  county  of  this  state,  and  as  may  in  the  judgment  of  the 
court  before  whom  any  such  offender  shall  be  tried,  be  deemed 
proper  objects  ;  and  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  said  Managers  in 
relation  to  the  children  which  they  shall  receive  in  virtue  of  this 
act,  shall  be  the  same  in  all  things,  as  are  prescribed  and  provided 
by  the  act  entitled,  "An  act  to  incorporate  the  Society  for  the  re- 
formation of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of  New-York," 
passed  March  the  29  th,  1824,  in  respect  to  children  which  the  said 
Managers  have  received,  or  may  receive  in  virtue  of  that  act. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  commissioners  mentioned  in 
the  thirty-eighth  section  of  the  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  provide 

39 


306 


against  infectious  and  pestilential  diseases,"  passed  March  the  21st, 
1823,  shall  account  annually  to  the  comptroller  of  the  state,  for  all 
monies  received  by  them,  for  the  use  of  the  Marine  Hospital,  and 
if  the  same  shall,  in  any  one  year,  be  more  than  sufficient  to  defray 
the  expense  of  executing  the  trust  committed  to  them,  exclusive  of 
such  expenses  as  arc  to  be  borne  and  paid  as  part  of  the  contingent 
charges  of  the  city  of  New-York,  and  including  the  annual  com- 
pensations granted  to  the  said  commissioners  by  the  said  act,  then, 
and  in  such  case,  the  said  health  commissioners  shall  pay  such  sur- 
plus over  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Managers  of  the  Society  for  the 
Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of  New-York,  for 
the  use  of  the  said  Society;  and  the  said  commissioners  shall  also 
pay  to  the  said  treasurer,  for  the  use  of,  and  to  be  expended  by  the 
said  Society,  in  the  erection  of  a  House  of  Refuge,  for  female  Ju- 
venile Delinquents,  so  much  of  the  balance,  or  surplus,  now  in  their 
hands,  or  which  may  be  invested,  pursuant  to  the  said  thirty-eighth 
section,  to  meet  any  deficit  of  the  receipts  of  the  said  commission- 
ers for  the  purposes  of  the  said  marine  hospital,  or  for  the  building 
of  such  other  stone  or  brick  hospitals  in  the  place  of  the  present 
wooden  ones,  as  the  person  administering  the  government  of  this 
state  may  from  time  to  time  think  necessary,  and  that  the  said 
thirty-eighth  section,  so  far  as  the  same  is  inconsistent  with  the 
provisions  of  this  act,  and  no  further,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby 
repealed. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  sheriffs  of  the  several  coun- 
ties of  this  state,  shall  be  allowed  for  the  transportation  of  any  Ju- 
venile Delinquents  according  to  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  same 
compensation  as  is  now  given  by  law  for  the  transportation  of  con- 
victs to  the  state  prisons,  to  be  audited  and  paid  by  the  supervi- 
sors of  the  respective  counties,  as  part  of  the  contingent  expenses 
of  the  said  counties  :  Provided,  That  after  notice  shall  be  given  by 
the  Managers  of  the  said  Society,  that  there  is  not  room  for  the  re- 
ception of  any  further  delinquents,  it  shall  not  be  lawful  to  trans- 
port any  other  delinquents,  until  notice  shall  be  given  that  they 
can  be  received. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  legislature  may  at  any  time, 
repeal,  amend,  or  modify  this  act. 


Chapter  1st,  Title  7,  Sections  17  and  18  of  the  Revised  Statutes, 
Page  701,  Vol.  2. 

Whenever  any  person  under  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  shall  be 
convicted  of  any  felony,  the  court,  instead  of  sentencing  such  per- 
son to  imprisonment  in  a  state  prison,  may  order  that  he  be  re- 
moved to  and  confined  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  established  by  the 
Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of 
New-York ;  unless  notice  shall  have  been  received  from  such  So- 
ciety, that  there  is  not  room  in  such  House  for  the  reception  of 
further  delinquents. 

Such  convicts  shall  be  removed  by  the  sheriff  of  the  county,  pur- 
suant to  such  order,  and  he  shall  be  allowed  the  same  compensa- 
tion therefor  as  is  provided  by  law  for  the  transportation  of  con- 
victs to  the  state  prison,  to  be  audited  and  paid  as  part  of  the  con- 
tingent expenses  of  the  county. 


307 


AN  ACT  to  create  a  Fund  in  aid  of  the  Society  for  the  Reforma- 
tion of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  and  for 
other  purposes. 

Passed  April  29,  1829. 

The  People  of  the  state  of  New-York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows  : 

§  1.  The  commissioners  of  health  mentioned  in  the  eleventh  and 
twelfth  sections  of  Title  fourth  of  Chapter  fourteenth  of  the  first 
part  of  the  Revised  Statutes,  shall  pay  out  of  the  monies  received 
by  them  for  the  use  of  the  marine  hospital,  eight  thousand  dollars 
annually,  in  quarterly  payments  of  two  thousand  dollars  each,  com- 
mencing on  the  first  day  of  May  next,  to  the  treasurer  of  the  soci- 
ety for  the  reformation  of  juvenile  delinquents  in  the  city  of  New- 
York  for  the  use  of  said  society,  which  sum  of  eight  thousand  dol- 
lars, shall  be  part  of  the  surplus,  and  not  in  addition  thereto, 
directed  to  be  paid  said  treasurer  by  the  above  mentioned  eleventh 
section,  and  the  said  commissioners  of  health  shall  pay  over  annu- 
ally to  the  comptroller  of  the  state,  on  or  before  the  first  of  April, 
the  balance  that  may  remain  of  the  said  surplus  fund,  after  paying 
the  eight  thousand  dollars  as  aforesaid  ;  and  the  balance  of  the  said 
surplus,  so  paid  to  the  comptroller,  shall  be  invested  by  him  in 
some  secure  manner  at  interest,  and  the  said  fund  shall  be  kept  dis- 
tinct and  separate,  and  shall  be  denominated  the  "  Mariner's  Fund." 

§  2  So  much  of  the  said  twelfth  section  of  Title  fourth  of  Chap- 
ter fourteenth  of  the  First  Part  of  the  Revised  Statutes  as  applies 
to  the  balance  of  hospital  monies  in  the  hands  of  the  commissioners 
of  health,  is  declared  to  apply  only  to  such  balances  as  were  in 
their  hands  at  the  time  said  chapter  took  effect  as  a  law;  and  any 
part  of  said  section  inconsistent  with  this  declared  construction,  is 
hereby  repealed. 

§3.  The  commissioners  for  collecting  the  duty  of  excise  in  the 
city  of  New-York,  designated  by  the  act  entitled  "An  act  to  lay  a 
duty  on  strong  liquors,  and  for  regulating  inns  and  taverns,  so  far 
as  relates  to  the  city  of  New-York,  and  for  other  purposes,"  passed 
April  10th,  1824,  shall  demand  and  receive  one  dollar  and  fifty 
cents,  in  addition  to  the  sum  now  required  by  law,  upon  every  li- 
cence granted  by  them  after  the  passing  of  this  act,  to  any  tavern 
keeper,  grocer  or  keeper  of  an  ordinary  or  victualling  house  or 
public  garden,  in  pursuance  of  the  act  above  mentioned,  and  the 
acts  amendatory  of  the  same,  which  additional  sums  the  said  com- 
missioners shall  pay  over  to  the  treasurer  of  the  society  for  the 
reformation  of  juvenile  delinquents  in  the  city  of  New-York,  for 
the  use  of  said  society. 

§  4.  No  theatre  or  circus,  or  building  for  exhibiting  theatrical  or 
equestrian  performances  in  the  city  of  New-York,  shall  be  opened 
for  such  exhibitions  after  the  first  day  of  May  next,  unless  the  man- 
ager or  proprietor  thereof  shall  annually  obtain  from  the  Mayor  of 
the  said  city,  a  license  therefor;  which  license  the  said  Mayor  is 
authorised  to  grant,  to  continue  until  the  first  day  of  May  ensuing 
the  grant  thereof;  and  every  manager  or  proprietor  offending  in 
the  premises,  or  consenting  or  allowing  the  same  to  be  done, 
whether  there  be  one  or  more  managers  or  proprietors  of  such  the- 
atre or  circus,  shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  shall  be  sub_ 


303 


ject  to  a  fine  of  one  hundred  dollars  for  each  day  it  shall  be  so 
opened,  or  imprisonment  not  exceeding  three  months. 

§  5.  Upon  granting  every  license  authorised  by  the  preceding 
section,  the  mayor  shall  receive  from  the  person  to  whom  the  same 
shall  be  granted,  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  for  each  theatre, 
and  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  each  circus  :  which 
sums  when  so  received,  shall  be  paid  over  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
society  for  the  reformation  of  juvenile  delinquents  in  the  city  of 
New-York,  for  the  use  of  said  society. 

§  6.  The  said  commissioners  of  health  shall  render  to  the 
comptroller  annually,  a  minute  and  detailed  account  of  all  monies 
denominated  "  Hospital  monies,"  which  shall  be  received,  and  also 
of  all  such  monies  disbursed  by  them  or  either  of  them,  for  the 
marine  hospital;  for  the  expenses  of  their  trust,  so  far  as  the  same 
are  payable  out  of  this  fund  for  their  own  salaries,  and  the  com- 
mission allowed  by  law  to  the  health  commissioner  for  collection, 
and  also  of  the  surplus,  if  any,  of  such  monies  paid  over  to  the 
treasurer  of  the  society  for  the  reformation  of  juvenile  delinquents 
in  the  city  of  New-York. 

§  7.  The  comptroller  is  hereby  authorised  to  allow  to  the  health 
commissioner  for  the  collection  of  "  Hospital  Money"  from  coast- 
ing vessels,  a  commission  at  his  discretion,  of  not  less  than  two 
and  a  half,  nor  exceeding  ten  per  cent.,  which  allowance  he  is  au- 
thorised to  make,  as  well  upon  the  collections  made  from  such  ves- 
sels during  the  past  year,  as  upon  those  hereafter  to  be  made. 


AN  ACT  concerning'  convicts  under  the  age  of  seventeen  years, 
and  other  purposes. 

Passed  April  16,  1830. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New -York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows  : 

§  1.  The  person  administering  the  government  of  this  state,  is 
hereby  empowered  to  direct  the  agent  of  either  of  the  state  prisons 
of  this  state,  whenever  the  inspectors  thereof  shall  recommend  the 
same,  to  convey  any  convicts  who  shall  be  under  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years,  to  the  house  of  refuge  in  the  city  of  New-York;  and 
they  shall  there  be  confined  according  to  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  said  house  of  refuge  :  The  expenses  of  such  removal  shall  be 
the  same  as  allowed  to  sheriffs  for  like  services,  and  a  charge  upon 
cuch  prison,  as  part  of  its  ordinary  expenses  to  be  certified  by  the 
inspectors. 


AN  ACT  to  am,end  11  An  act  to  create  a  fund  in  aid  of  the  Society 
for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of  New- 
York,  and  for  other  purposes ,"  passed  April  29,  1829. 

Passed  April  21,  1831. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New-York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows  : 

§  1.  There  shall  be  paid  annually  by  the  treasurer  of  the  city  of 
New-York,  on  the  first  Monday  of  July,  to  the  treasurer  of  the  So- 
ciety for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents,  in  the  city  of 


309 


New-York,  the  sum  of  four  thousand  dollars,  for  the  use  of  said 
society,  out  of  the  moneys  appropriated  for  the  support  and  main- 
tenance of  the  poor  of  the  said  city,  by  the  act,  entitled  "  An  act  to 
amend  an  act,  entitled  "An  act  to  lay  a  duty  on  strong  liquors, 
and  for  regulating  inns  and  taverns,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  city 
of  New-York,  and  for  other  purposes,"  passed  April  10th,  1824. 

§  2.  The  third  section  of  the  act,  entitled  "  An  act  to  create  a 
fund  in  aid  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents in  the  city  of  New-York,  and  for  other  purposes,  passed 
April  29,  1829,  and  which  directs  the  commissioners  for  collecting 
the  duty  of  excise  in  the  city  of  New-York,  to  demand  and  receive 
one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  in  addition  to  the  sum  then  required  by 
law  for  a  license  to  any  tavern  keeper,  grocer,  or  keeper  of  an  or- 
dinary or  victualling  house,  or  public  garden,  shall  be,  and  the 
6ame  is  hereby  repealed. 


PART  OF  AN  ACT  passed  April  22,  1331. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New-York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows  : 

§  13.  The  eight  thousand  dollars  appropriated  by  the  act  entitled 
"  An  act  to  create  a  fund  in  aid  of  the  Society  for  the  Reformation 
of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of  New-York,  and  for  other 
purposes,"  passed  April  29,  1829,  shall  continue  to  be  paid  to  said 
society  in  the  manner  and  at  the  time  therein  specified,  out  of  the 
moneys  collected  from  passengers  by  the  provisions  of  Title  four, 
Chapter  fourteenth,  Part  first  of  the  Revised  Statutes :  but  if  the 
amount  collected  from  passengers  should  be  insufficient  (after  pay- 
ing all  the  expense  of  the  quarantine  establishment  at  Staten 
Island,)  to  meet  the  eight  thousand  dollars  now  appropriated  from 
the  "Hospital  Funds"  for  the  support  of  the  Society  for  the 
Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents  in  the  city  of  New- York, 
then  the  balance  to  make  up  said  eight  thousand  dollars  shall  be 
appropriated  annually  from  the  state  treasury. 


Ztist  of  Liife  Subscribers  and  Donors 


TO  THE 

NOT  PREVIOUSLY  PUBLISHED. 


B.  Auchincloss,  &  Co.  $10 
Charles  Anthon,  -  20 
Heman  Averill,  -  50 
Benjamin  Bailey,  -  20 
Simeon  Benjamin,  -  6 
Win.  Blakcley,  -  -  6 
Silas  Brown,  -  5 
John  M.  Bruce,  -  6 
J.  Boyd,  jun.  -  5 
H.  Beekman,  -  5 
Wra.  Banks,  -  5 
D.  I.  Boyd,  -  -  5 
R.  S.  Brown,  -  -  6 
J.  Benedict,  -  -  10 
James  Brown,  -  50 
James  Brewster,  -  50 
John  Bolton,       -  -  10 

C.  Beers,  -  -  15 
Wm.  &  T.  C.  Chardovoyne,  6 
Joseph  Corlies,  -  6 
John  Crumby,  -  20 
Thos.  G.  Cary,  -  -  5 
Benjamin  Corlies,  -  5 

D.  M'Coimick,  -  -  10 
Nathaniel  Coggeswell,  5 

F.  Depeyster,  -  50 
J.  S.  Dolan,  -  -  6 
James  W.  Dominick,  *  10 
John  A.  Davenport,  -  6 

E.  Dayton,  -  -  6 
Ogden  Edwards,  -  10 
James  Fellows,  -  10 
Ferris  Finch,      -  G 

D.  A.  Frost,  -  -  6 
Chas.  Pregure  &  Frassire,  5 

E.  T.  Franklin,   -  -  5 

G.  Froute,  -  -  5 
Henry  Grinnell,  -  6 
Fred  k.  Gebhard,  -  10 
John  Greenfield,  -  5 


F.  G.  59  Wall-st.  -  50 

Geo.  Griswold,  50 

J.  W.  Gerard,  -  -  10 
Geo.  Gardiner,  (on  account  of 

life  subscription,)  SO 

George  Griffin,    -  50 

J.  Houseman,      -  10 

John  Hunter,      -  9 

Hugh  Holmes,    -  6 

Willet  Hicks,      -  -  15 

H.  Hinsdale,       -  6 

J.  S.  Hyer,         -  -  5 

O.  Holmes,         -  5 

J.  K.  Hamilton,  -  5 

Jeromus  Johnson,  -  50 

W.  S.  Johnson,  -  6 

H.  P,  Jones,       -  -  6 

Jackson  &  McJimsey,  5 

John  D.  Keese,  -  6 

J.  &  W.  Kelly,  -  6 

J.  D.  King,         -  -  6 

R.  Lockwood,     -  6 

C.W.Lawrence,  -  10 

E.  W.  Laight,     -  -  6 

Henry  Laverty,  -  10 

Allen  C.  Lee,      -  -  10 

James  W.  Lent,  -  10 

Thomas  F.  Livingston,  9 

P.  Lorillard,       -  -  20 

Valentine  Mott,  -  -  20 

Morland  Mecholl,  -  6 

B.  P,  Melick,      -  -  6 

Robert  I.  Murray,  -  10 

Thos.  W.  Moore,  -  9 

Wm.  W.  Mott,    -  -  5 

Petersen  and  Mensch,  -  5 

Samuel  Marsh,  -  6 

H.  Maxwell,       -  -  12 

David  Marsh,  jun.  -  20 

N.  Norris,          -  6 


311 


C.  Oakley, 
Wm.  Prior, 

F.  Place, 
J.  Post, 

G.  C.  Peterson,  - 

E.  Prince, 

P.  169  Front-st., 
R.  L.  P.,  101  Front-st., 
Henry  Rogers,  - 
Bailey  &  Remsen, 
P.  H.  Rhinelander, 
R.  Ray, 

A.  C.  Rossire, 
N.  Richards, 
Rev.  —  Robinson, 
Peter  Sharpe, 

B.  Sterrill  &  Co. 
Benjamin  Strong, 
Mrs.  G.  Smith,  - 
Wm.  Stevens, 
Fred'k  Sheldon,  - 

H.  H.  Scheiffelin 
W.  Stewart, 

F.  S.  &  P.  Schlesinger, 
Thos.  L.  Servoss, 
Ruel  Smith, 

S.  P.  Staples,  - 


5 

A.  Seton,  - 

6 

10 

G.  P.  Shipman,  - 

6 

6 

C.  Swan,  - 

10 

JO 

T.R.Smith, 

20 

10 

Seabury  Tredwell, 
Gecrrge  Tredwell, 

5 

6 

5 

50 

Wm.  Thomson, 

6 

10 

Wrm.  W.  Todd, 

6 

10 

A.  Tredwell, 

5 

5 

E.  Townsend, 

5 

5 

S.  A.  Talcot, 

5 

6 

Martin  E.  Thompson,  - 

50 

6 

Joshua  S.  Underhill,  - 

6 

10 

H.  Vanwagenen, 

6 

10 

W.  Vandewater, 

6 

50 

Wm.  Waring, 

6 

5 

Wm.  Wright,  - 

10 

10 

Elizabeth  Walsh, 

7 

10 

Henry  S.  WyckofF, 

10 

6 

Salem  Wines, 

6 

10 

John  Wheelwright, 

5 

5 

C.  P.  White, 

5 

5 

Stephen  Whitney, 

50 

50 

Mead  Wheeler,  - 

6 

5 

E.  White, 

5 

10 

R.  D.  Weeks,  - 

20 

6 

John  Ward,  jun. 

10 

THE  END. 


